Christ is the Lord of the Family! His Word governs and guides the structure of the family; the roles of the individuals within that family; and the manner in which the members of the family interact with one another. As we discussed last week, there is equality between the husband and wife but not interchangeability concerning the roles that each play within the family. The husband is the “servant leader” who rules for the benefit of those under his care. He himself is accountable to Christ to lead in such a way that it is evident that the Lord Jesus is the “center” of the home.He is not a ruthless dictator who dominates and commands, but rather a benevolent ruler who listens to the wisdom of his chief counselor- his wife; and seeks to provide an environment in which every member of the family will flourish and grow. He loves his wife as Jesus loves the church and he loves his children as precious gifts from God for whom he is responsible to raise in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This is leadership under the Lordship of Christ!

The world considers this concept out-dated! Kinda like the caveman dragging his wife by her hair as he carries his massive club on his shoulder. You tell me when you last viewed a TV show or movie which presented this picture of leadership. Usually the man is the weak, bigoted, misguided, short-sighted, obnoxious, butt of family jokes. Is he a man or a mouse? Does he command as a loving ruler or does he squeak like a brow-beaten errand-boy?

Remember Paul, after 11 chapters discussing the person of God; the problem of man-“sin”; and God’s answer- Christ; tells the Christ-follower in Romans 12:1 to offer himself as a living sacrifice unto the Lord. In other words, we are called to be what the Lord wants us to be- not the world, not the devil, not even what I want myself to be. We are to be what the Lord wants us to be! Don’t forget Christ bought us with His blood; therefore, we belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:20).

We become this living sacrifice by (Romans 12:2) not being conformed to the world. The world isn’t to shape the Christ-follower as a mold shapes the liquid poured into it. But rather the Christ-follower must be transformed by the renewing of his mind. He is changed as he fills his mind with the things of his Lord; or as he strives to a focus upon serving the Lord in all he does. Remember the phrase- we are in but not of the world. You have to watch out for those prepositions- they might be small but they pack quite a punch!

It is time for the man of God to stand up and serve the Lord not man. They must be guided by Scripture, not Oprah or Hollywood. Joshua, a godly leader in his home, challenged the people of Israel to stand up and make a choice. In that challenge he said: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

What about the woman who loves the Lord? What does the Bible say about the women who loves the Lord- you male chauvinist swine? Patience “grasshopper”, patience. The challenge is great because the world has sought to completely alter the role of the woman. But stay tuned for this is for next week. See ya!