Who's in Charge?

In practically every stage of life there is someone who is over us - a parent, a boss, a coach, a co-worker, and many others.  In a Christian's life, there is a higher authority that should supersede all of the other authorities.  God's Word should come before any man-made laws if they are in conflict with one another.  Our decisions should come from that Word, as well.

Let's look at "Who's in Charge?" today, and see what we can learn about each area.  Actually, as I finished point #1, I could see this post would be much too long to be one.  So, I'll be making this a "series" of posts.  Not sure how long, but several days.  (No posts on Saturday or Sunday.)

1.  Who's in charge in the family?  The parent(s)!
In a family unit, the parents are in charge of the family. In a Christian home, we know that the Bible says that the father is the head of the house.  The mother still plays a huge part of the family, but the husband is the head.  This isn't - or shouldn't be - a cause for women to become upset.  Sadly it has been that way in many cases.

God designed the family in this way for a good reason.  It wasn't because he thought less of women.  In fact, if you read the Bible you'll find Jesus was especially kind to women.  Some would say that he was even kinder to them than to men!  But God knew that in every situation, there must be someone who is ultimately in charge - the authority.  He gave that position to the man - the husband.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church....Ephesians 5:22-23a

God established the covenant of marriage - only possible between a male and a female - and used the example of the marriage of the relationship Christ has with the church.  There is no debating the subject, and no human-made law will ever be made that will nullify God's law.  God still loves those who disobey this command and those who sin in regards to this covenant, but He will not condone or overlook the sin that goes along with it in any way.

 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:25-28

Because parents are in charge of the family and the husband is the head of the family, we have a great responsibility to our children to raise them in a way that honors God.  It is our God-given duty and obligation.  As long as our children are living in our homes - and to some extent even a little longer - we must teach them and train them in many ways.  We must teach them to be honest, working citizens, but also to be faithful servants of God.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do no exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:2-4

More about "Who's in Charge?" tomorrow