DEC 7

Colossians 3:18-19
Memorise Joshua 1:8
“…be not bitter against them…”

Paul now addressed particular groups, starting with Colossians 3:18-19 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” As we can see even today, the problem with wives in this world is that they will struggle for authority with their husbands, even if they love their husbands. Paul reminded Christian wives that they must be different from the world, and willingly submit to their husbands, as long as it does not go against God’s law. This is the order that we see between Christ and the Church, and every godly family that follows this law becomes a picture or illustration of that relationship. This also ensures order in the Christian family, and also puts pressure on the Christian husband to have good understanding of the law in order to lead. Similarly, the problem with husbands is their capacity to love more than one woman at a time, so Paul reminded them to love their wives. There is an added exhortation to not be bitter against wives, not to abuse their authority and order their wives around, but rather to appeal to God’s law in a gentle, loving manner so that together these Christian parents can run the family in a godly manner. 

Dear teen, do you realise that God’s law is good? There is a tendency for teens to rebel against laws, thinking that they ‘cramp your style’, with many teens wishing they did not have to obey their parents. When Christian husbands and wives follow the injunctions above, virtually all the marital problems we see in the world today would no longer occur. God’s law is good, and it will be best for you to follow it in all circumstances. For now, boys must make sure they study God’s Word, for it must be their only source of authority to make decisions upon marriage. Girls must also study God’s Word to be able to discern which young man has this moral authority and maturity that they can willingly submit to as husbands, for the only reason why she should submit is because God’s Word says so. It is never too early to prepare for marriage, and know what are the God given roles within a family relationship. If we follow the law and abide by its commandments, we will never go wrong. Dear teen, submit to God, and His law, for He knows what is best for you.

Thought: How much do I submit to God?
Prayer: May I learn that God’s law is always good.