Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

(Continued from Day 111)

Although Eve technically sinned first by partaking of the forbidden fruit before Adam did, when God came to deal with our first parents who became the first sinners, he came looking first for Adam. God asked Adam, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). It’s a great question. Men, where are you? Are you leading your family spiritually? Are you providing for your family financially? Are you protecting your children from harm? God is asking where you are. Now, He obviously knows where you are—He wants you to answer that question for yourself. Are you in the place you’re supposed to be?

Adam and Eve both make excuses. He blames God: “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). She blames the devil: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (v. 13). While everyone who sins against a covenant is held responsible, the head is firstly held responsible for protecting and obeying the terms of the covenant. Men sometimes think that if they avoid their responsibility, God will hold their wives accountable. It doesn’t work that way. God still holds the husbands accountable. The question is not, “Is the man the head?” but rather, “Is he a good head or a bad head?”

Our culture has replaced husbands and fathers with government. We wonder why we have problems, but God did not tell us to live under government dominion. He told us to have husbands and fathers as heads of homes to love and protect women and children. That’s our role and responsibility. Adam failed in his responsibility, and the whole human family has suffered since. Now, this doesn’t mean the man is the boss, and the wife is the employee. You are equals. You are co-leaders with singular headship and plural leadership, but the man takes first responsibility.

You can make excuses, or you can make plans. Men who make excuses are like Adam. Men who make plans are like Jesus. Men who avoid responsibility are like Adam. Men who take responsibility are like Jesus. Men who run from conflict are like Adam. Men who accept conflict are like Jesus. Men who dump burdens on women and children are like Adam. Men who carry burdens for women and children are like Jesus.

Today’s Reflection

If you are a husband, have you accepted your God-given responsibility for your family? If you are a wife, have you supported your husband in his headship?