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Marriage Roles: Really?

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When I got married, I had only been a believer for about three years.  I was drunk with the gospel - I knew I didn't deserve God's grace and was excited that I had it anyway.  I was devouring the Bible and was trying to figure out what it all meant.

One of the areas in scripture that challenged me was the Bible's teaching on roles in marriage.  Honestly, I didn't really want to be "the head" of the home - I had much more egalitarian leanings.  At the same time, I wanted to honor God in my home, so I set about trying to be the leader of my home.  Thankfully God's grace (and my wife's) was greater than my good intentions.  I didn't lead well in the early days - I led out of positional authority (I have the title so you have to do what I say) instead of from personal authority (I have won your trust through love and self-sacrifice, and therefore you are willing to follow me).

Jesus leads us from a position of personal authority, and we need to do the same.  Jesus submitted in respect for personal authority - we need to do that as well.  He is the perfect example to us of both submission and headship.

Marriage roles aren't outdated or regressive.  They are, in fact, God's blueprint for releasing his blessing in our marriages.  I was able this last week to give a message at The Journey Metro East on Ephesians 5:15-33.  If you take a listen, let me know what you think!

The sermon has been posted on The Journey's website here.
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