The Key to Harmony in the Home

“...and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church.” Ephesians 5:21-29

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

Martin Luther dealt with matters of theology and with matters of daily life as well. Concerning a man’s place in the home and in society, he wrote, “A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man. is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone.”

The common thought among men of the world is that they determine their own fate, design their own destiny, and recoil at the idea of accountability. But that mindset leads to tragedy for the individual and for his family.

Through Paul’s teaching, we again see the validity of godly truth which is completely opposite to what the world believes, follows, and practices. The key to real, successful manhood is not the pursuit of selfish gain but the ability to submit to others in godly wisdom and self-control. Paul was accused of turning the world upside down with his teaching. When followed, this principle of submission can turn your world right side up.

“The purpose of life is not to find your freedom, but your master.” -P.T. Forsyth