A Holy Union

Written By Betty Predmore

EPHESIANS 5:1-33

(September 27)

I have done a lot of couple's counseling, and chapter 5 of Ephesians is a portion of Scripture I have used time and time again. In it, Paul is telling the Ephesians to live a life worthy of Christ.

They are to turn away from evil things, keep boundaries that shield them from people who are immoral and impure, and who talk with foolishness.

They are to live a life of thankfulness and careful consideration as to what pleases the Lord, and be very, very careful how they choose to live.

Included in this is the need to submit to one another out of reverence to Christ. I have found that a lot of people don't like the word SUBMIT and would really like to skip over that part.

Paul tells wives to submit to their husbands. A Christian woman who had found new freedom in her life in Christ might not have liked the thought of submission. It's quite possible that Christian men who were used to the Roman custom of having unlimited power over their household didn't treat their wives with the respect they should have.

Keep in mind, in that time and culture, women, children, and slaves were all expected to submit to the head of the family. Slaves submitted until they were freed. Boys submitted until they became adults. But women and girls were expected to submit for their entire lives. YIKES!!

Paul's purpose in this scripture is not to overthrow the way the Romans do things, but to teach them that they are all equal in Christ and should choose to submit to one another out of love.

Imagine a home filled with mutual submission done out of love. There is order and harmony within the household. The love and respect among the family members is great. That is what Paul wants for the Ephesians.

Submission doesn't make you a "doormat". Even Jesus submitted to the Father. By following his example, we honor him. When our lives are submitted to God, we are more willing and able to submit to others.

Marriage relationships require both husband and wife to submit. A wife should follow (willingly) her husband's leadership in Christ. The husband submits by putting aside his own interests for the betterment of his wife.

If you notice in this passage, Paul talks TWICE as much about husbands loving their wives as he does about wives submitting to their husbands. According to Paul, a husband should be willing to sacrifice everything for his wife, make her well-being of primary importance, and should care for her just as he does for himself.

When a husband treats a wife this way, there is no fear or anxiety for her in submitting to him. And this leads to marriage the way God intended it to be ... a Holy Union.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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