Exploring Thriving Through EphesiansSample

If you look back in Genesis before the fall of man into sin, you see God creating two humans- so much like each other, and also very different. Equally valuable, given different ways to rule over the rest of creation, partners in this amazing new venture.

Sin enters in and it becomes every man, and woman for themselves. When everyone is only looking out for themselves, the idea of submitting or falling under the authority of someone else seems outlandish. How on earth could you trust someone to have your best interests at heart? 

Into this paradigm, Paul explains that loving like Jesus means considering others, submitting mutually to others. Back and forth, in all our relationships, we are to display a mutual submission. And somehow this reflects our reverence for Christ.

He completely upends the male-dominant culture by explaining how exactly husbands were to love their wives. And wives, because of their love and trust in the Lord, can submit to their husbands. It's a tremendously aspirational picture. Something only the Spirit can accomplish in and among us. Our families and friendships should look radically different from the rest of the culture. 

What is hard for you in this passage? Express your thoughts to the Lord right now.

When have you experienced mutual submission in a relationship? What did that look like?