Showing posts with label Submission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Submission. Show all posts
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Keeping The Cup
"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will'" (Matthew 26:39)
There is a cup of suffering appointed to everyone who will follow Jesus. Without taking up this cup, the road to growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ ends abruptly. Many have fallen prey to a new gospel. They hand their cup back to the Father and arrogantly proclaim, "I now stake my identity in Christ and because he conquered evil and death, I don't need this cup, for He paid it all, once for all." This is true of salvation alone because we didn't choose Him, He chose us. However, there are no rewards of intimacy down this road.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Allowing The Kingdom Its Own Work
All the commands that we find in the New Testament are in reality the declaration of Jesus' life upon those whom the Father has drawn to Him. "It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me" is our present reality once we receive the Holy Spirit, but it will take time before the mind becomes renewed to accept this. What is commonly understood as sanctification is simply the removing of the blinders of our current understanding by the Holy Spirit. While we may perceive the saints growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, the truth is that man decreases and Christ increases. "The life I now live in the flesh, I live by fatih..." No flesh will glory in God's presence. Man is but dust and returns to the ground, but his soul is being made aware of the source from which its very life began; in the Spirit as a son to the Father, but now also being prepared as a bride for His Son.
Until one is called by God, all creation has shown no interest in the things of God and are clearly conformed to the god of this world (Satan). Those who's eyes and ears have been opened should always be operating in hope, that God's love can redeem and transform any human spirit by the Life of His Son. It is equally important we know that the drawing of the soul is clearly the work of the Father alone. For this reason, Jesus tells us not to give to the dogs what is holy, or to throw our pearls to the pigs. Unless we recognize God's Spirit in another, there is no work for us there.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Self Proclaimed Christianity
The Holy Spirit is our counselor, not our baby sitter.
"When I was a child I acted like a child, but when I became an adult, I put my childish ways behind me."
Faith is not complacent with so great a salvation as simply having been sealed, building an easy road of Christianity by saving our own lives while remaining Spiritually malnourished.
On the other hand, though the Holy Spirit is our source of power to do God's will, He is not our genie. As well, faith and the Spiritual gifts are not a power we can wield at our own discretion. True faith comes by the immediate prompting of the Holy Spirit and that is the present work of our Father. When it appears that God may be silent, then grace, belief, and trust are what we are to rely upon during these seemingly idle times.
"When I was a child I acted like a child, but when I became an adult, I put my childish ways behind me."
Faith is not complacent with so great a salvation as simply having been sealed, building an easy road of Christianity by saving our own lives while remaining Spiritually malnourished.
On the other hand, though the Holy Spirit is our source of power to do God's will, He is not our genie. As well, faith and the Spiritual gifts are not a power we can wield at our own discretion. True faith comes by the immediate prompting of the Holy Spirit and that is the present work of our Father. When it appears that God may be silent, then grace, belief, and trust are what we are to rely upon during these seemingly idle times.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Good-Will Or God's Will
Performing Christianity as a delegate
or
Releasing the life of Christ in us as an ambassador
We see in the world around us how unbelievers are seemingly able to make "good choices", especially in regards to the welfare of those who suffer unjustly. Yet even this is just basic human compassion, because it lacks the pure love and motives of God. There always lies an ulterior, selfish motive behind anything resembling a "good choice" among those void of the Holy Spirit.
Fear is one of the more powerful human emotions that will quickly force a "good" choice toward others, yet its true motive is simply human preservation. Perfect love, as we know, casts out fear. There is no "choice" involved when it comes to perfect love. It simply is.
A Christian may even think about the good choices they themselves make, but the reality is, they are merely releasing the nature of one of two spirits within at a particular moment, be it human or Holy. The human spirit, at best, works out of a sense of responsibility, obligation, and preservation. The Holy Spirit, however, works from the very heart of God, pouring forth pure love that is sacrificial and eternally hopeful. Only the lives that have surrendered their human will into the hands of the Father through the cross will demonstrate this. (1 Corinthians 2:2-5)
There is only one reality that has kept this world from imploding in on itself; it is the mercy and grace of God. (2 Thessalonians 2:7) One aspect of this grace is the moral law introduced among humans. Now while the law was introduced to increase the trespass (Romans 5:20), the consequences of breaking the law was designed to incite fear in the hearts of the lawless. Yet we know the law has limited restraint on evil.
In the Garden, before the fall, God had given the first law to Adam and Eve; "You are not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." How were they able to break this law? ...they simply did not have the faith to do otherwise. But faith is never of our own doing, nor is it just possessing the power of God to believe, or His provision to obey. Faith is the life and character of God so deeply wrought in a person that they become the essence of Holiness themselves. Yet it comes at a great cost; it is not casually imparted.
So, what is truly good and faithful are those whom God has allowed to eat from the Tree of Life while suffering through a world that has only partaken from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You see, without intimacy with Jesus, good and evil becomes open to any one's interpretation, thereby making it impossible to truly love God or neighbor. You end up with people seeking to increase their own personal welfare; they are selfish and lawless.
It is only by God's grace and mercy that good and evil configures into His ultimate purposes for something that appears so chaotic here on earth. Anything found truly good in humanity has its source in Jesus. He is the Tree of Life. This is what was lacking in the relationships of the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve could not have possessed anything "good" within themselves, for they would not have disobeyed God if they were indeed "good". (Psalm 47:3, Mark 10:18, Romans 3:12)
This is not to argue against the fact that God called everything He created in the beginning, "good". Indeed, it was "very good", because He had set into motion a plan for His creation. Like the beginning of creation itself, dark and void, we too were spawned into frustration and futility, with the Spirit of God hovering over us as well. God had ordained that the end purpose of humanity would be to reveal the sons and daughters of God; those that will have gone through the same suffering that His Only Begotten had suffered first, becoming the first born of many. They would become His very own dwelling place for eternity! They are the children of faith. (Romans 8:18-23), (Galatians 2:21-22), (Hebrews 11)
The key component of humans obtaining God's Holiness without simply becoming robotic in nature is to suffer alongside others who have yet to receive Faith. But we are not called to forsake them, we are called to reach out to them. We are called to love them; to bless them, not to curse them; to care and tend to them, not to avoid them; to afford mercy to them, not to condemn them; to forgive them, not to judge them. We are called to give up our human rights so that we may become a testimony of the living Christ.
Active Christianity today lacks the understanding that we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, not delegates. The role of an ambassador is to be a perfect representation of the one who sent them. They speak what was spoken to them; they do what they were told to do (perfect love). On the other hand, a delegate has some wiggle room. They have been delegated authority to make decisions or even change the outcome should they feel it warranted. They can shut down the entire process if they feel threatened (fear). Can you see the huge difference in the witness between the two?
The former represents a pure authority without shifting shadows. The ambassador illuminates a trustworthy source because their very nature never gets out of line from that source. They are not concerned with the results of their work; they are only mindful of yielding to the pure expression of that source. This, too, is their peace.
The latter represents the endless possibilities of continued bargaining. Arrangements or agreements can change at the drop of a hat and therefore, no real trust can be established between the parties. Delegates come with an agenda and will fight tooth and nail to achieve it. They convey in their very character that there is a compelling ulterior motive behind every move they make. Diplomacy is their only peacemaker.
So, what then is "truly good"? Why, the good news, of course. God's will, not man's good-will. We are God's treasure in jars of clay for the purpose of reaching out to a lost world whose only hope is the pure source of life. Let us become a pure representative of the treasure we carry within. We were never called to pick up where we think God left off; an Acts 29 pursuit if you will. God has not and does not delegate His authority. Rather we are called to become empty of ourselves so that we become full of His Spirit. The life is His, the work is His, the battle is His, the result is His. Remember, "it is finished".
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
PJR
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8:28-30)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Head Covering
Color coding indicates the key differences in the following two scriptural interpretations.
NASB Interpretation
1"Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 2Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. 5But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. 6For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man's sake. 10Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. 13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God." (1 Corinthians 11:1-16) NASB
ESV Interpretation
1"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 2Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God."
(1 Corinthians 11:1-16) ESV
God has impressed upon creation the natural physical evidence of submission and authority (Romans 1:18-23) by the witness of ministering angels. (Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 1:7, 1:14, 2:2) The rebellion of Satan's angels is manifest through those who are rebellious to God by the appearance of the human body that is contrary to the image God has ordained to His elect.
In this scripture, the head covering, be it hair, a veil, hat or any other form, is only a physical symbolism of submission that communicates who their spiritual authority is. One's appearance will reflect both.
Submission is necessary in order to establish the proper authority. Obedience is the spiritual evidence for submission.
An unmarried woman in the church shows respect for and submits to the authority within church by her Godliness.
A wife should wear a symbol of authority on her head when praying or prophesying in church because she was made in the image of man. Put another way: there should be a pre-established recognition and or an immediate discernment that a woman understands her ordained position given her by God, and her covering (social appearance and spiritual authority) is evidenced by her submission. Man is her covering, but only by her submission to him. Angels are ministering Spirits that come alongside to confirm the physical evidence portrayed by her. Should a wife refuse to "wear the symbol of authority on her head", then she is instructed to cut off her hair as a testimony to this. In other words, a woman should not cut her hair short so as to resemble the image of a man, or a rebel; that is to mock her authority, revealing her defiance of her spiritual authority. Either way, her refusal to submit to her ordained authority reveals her rebellion and should forbid her to participate in the intimacies of the church.
An unmarried man shows respect for and submits to the authority of the church by his Godliness.
Men should not wear a covering on their head, because they are made in the image of God. Put another way: there should be a pre-established recognition and or an immediate discernment that a man understands his ordained position given him by God, and his covering (social appearance and spiritual authority) is evidenced by his submission. Christ is his covering, but only by his submission to Him. Physically, head coverings a man might wear will certainly have an association to the world (such as sports teams, fraternities, religious orders, etc.) and carry with it a sense of dedication and/or fanaticism. This would easily cause disruption or division among the people as well as the obvious evidence of a divided commitment between God and the world.
He should not wear long hair, because similar to the witness of the angels, nature itself testifies that it is disgraceful for a man to have long hair in the church. In other words, a man should not wear his hair long so as to resemble the image of a woman, or a rebel; that is to emasculate his authority, revealing his defiance of his spiritual authority. It is evidence enough in the body of Christ that a man who willingly wears a covering on his head or has long hair, exhibits a rebellious spirit about him. He should be forbidden to participate in the intimacies of the church because his authority is not yet Jesus.
The definition of the root Greek word for disgrace/dishonor in verses 4&5 is to "curse vehemently". These verses indicate the disrespect the woman and the man would be to their own authority; man and Christ.
When praying in a disrespectful state, who are you really petitioning to?
When prophesying in a disrespectful state, who are you really hearing from?
Thus, being out of submission you "curse vehemently" your assigned authority.
Verses 8-10 refers to the creation order in Genesis before the fall. Satan began this rebellion to his own authority by refusing to remain in his place of submission. He coveted God's position and declared in his heart that he would become like Him. Eve, having been told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, (she even conveyed this to Satan) disrespected her authority by eating of it. She left her place of submission and considered herself equal to Adam in that she chose to disobey his command.(1) The temptation was that the consequence would not be what she was told it would be; death. So by the consideration of the consequence rather than simply obeying what she was commanded, she cursed her authority, abandoned her protection, and received the consequence. The curse handed down is that women will desire their husband (his positional authority)(2) but that he will still have dominion over her. It is a picture of the ongoing battle of submission and authority between husband and wife. The same marriage analogy is used to describe Christ and His church, and so is the struggle of submission and desire for independent authority prevalent here.
So what we realize through this is that the angels who witnessed the initial rebellion in the beginning are present with us today, ministering to the world the physical example of obedience for the sake of establishing the spiritual example that by our submission, God becomes our ultimate authority, and not ourselves.
Desiring to honor God in your place of submission and sacrificing your lusts establishes your authority.
Surrendering your place of submission attempts to equate yourself with your authority.
Jesus himself did not consider himself equal to God, but submitted his flesh to humility and torment, thus receiving the blessing from it.
Satan considered himself equal to God and was cursed.
A man who does not submit to Christ curses his authority.
A woman who does not submit to man curses her authority.
Physically, man was created first and the woman was made out of the man. She was created for man. This is the evidence of his authority over the woman.
Christ is the first born of all who become heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven and is evidence of His authority over the man.
Spiritually, neither man nor woman is independent of each other, because as woman came from man, so through child birth man comes from woman; a reality of physical regeneration. It is also a picture of spiritual regeneration; the divine government ordained by God for the church, carried through each generation by the angels.
Let's consider the following Scriptures pertaining to women in the church.
"The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?" (1Corinthians 14:34-36)
"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint." (1 Timothy 2:9-15)
These two passages, along with our referenced Scripture above, each take us back to the garden of Eden to communicate very shared and relevant pieces of information that the apostle Paul bases these commands on; ordained authority, not societal acceptance and approval.
Continuing...
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." (Titus 2:3-5)
"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:1-4)
It is clear in all these passages that as well as establishing authority, they reveal the nature to be found in a woman full of the Holy Spirit, thus confirming that she will have much to offer the body of Christ by way of prayer and prophecy.
By neglecting or avoiding certain scriptures that run contrary to the culture, the church does not receive the most intimate blessings and true unity available to it. When the conditions of submission are authentically embraced and the authority ordained by God firmly established, we can be assured that the fullness of God's Spirit is dwelling within the church. Members are found to be trustworthy for spiritual responsibilities.
"Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen." (Hebrews 11:1) If we can't submit to the things that are seen how can we submit to the things that are unseen? (1 John 4:20) More accurately, if we are not intimate with the unseen, then what is seen will be the rebellion manifest through us, for it is only by the power of the unseen that we can even obey what is seen.
If our conduit with God is broken by the rebellion of compromise (and is by no means limited to our appearance), and a spirit of deception is allowed to interpret divine scripture, is it any surprise the church in the U.S. is so worldly and spiritually asleep? Whenever rebellion towards authority reigns in the place of submission, the enemy's authority will be prevalent and active in the church, thus quenching the work of the Holy Spirit.
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. "But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters." (Luke 11:21-23)
Today is very confusing for the entire body of Christ because, out of a fear of rejection by the outside world, we have compromised ourselves to a place where the church has befriended society and invited it in to influence its ways. Our failure to obey comes from our desires to be accepted and our fear of reprisal from others if we should stand firm. But look below at the example of Sarah.
"For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear." (1 Peter 3:5,6)
After Jesus ascension, women were clearly active and effective in the early church. Yet what can not be dismissed is their unique call to submission. It is her ordained humility, it is her life and power in God...it is her beauty.
It is the church that is suffering, more so than the child. It has, of course been suffering for centuries for different reasons, but each generation must come to a recognition of its own sickness. If one member feels well while the body is sick, there is a disconnect of that child from the church that God has implemented for the sake of unity. God is always patient with us. He will give good things to His children on a personal basis, but the church leaders must also allow all gifts to function, not to oppress them in order to establish their own covetous ideals as to how they think church should look. And the saints must implement their gifts within the church, not to selfishly covet them for their edification alone.
More than authority, these verses teach submission by obedience for the sake of embracing spiritual life...for there is only one faith, one Lord, and one baptism. Conforming to the world is the scheme of the enemy, to weaken God's power in the church by compromising His truth. Walking by faith and not by sight will always run counter to the majority.
It's not what we think. It's not what we want. It's not what society determines or accepts. It's what the Holy Spirit has instructed and ordained as the inspired word of God. The church struggles with this particular passage and many others like it because they will not seek spiritual understanding beyond the topical message.
Should women wear a head covering when praying or prophesying? The bottom line is found in the bottom lines: "Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God." (1 Corinthians 11:14-16) ESV
Paul supported the traditions of the present society to be relevant within the church for the cause of extending grace to the new believers, much like abstaining from eating meat sacrificed to idols for the sake of those who are weak in the faith. (1 Corinthians 10:28) As he continued, he focused on God's natural imagery placed upon His creation, as well as the spiritual, whereby submission and authority are established. In the end, having confirmed the natural state of appearance once more, he concludes that beyond societal traditions, such as head coverings, there are no such physical and legalistic practices that are required for a woman to substantiate her submission to her authority within the body of Christ. In other words, it should already be ascertained that such a woman called on to pray or prophecy has been found complete in the Lord and her physical appearance will agree. Her hair is enough. Should any one want to force this issue, Paul firmly counters, "...we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God". If a law is applied in the church, it is for the sake of the law breakers. (1Timothy 1:8-11, Galatians 5:16-25) Spiritual women do not have to be told such things. They will beautifully confirm it.
The entire message from our topic can be summed up in this way: Paul begins this directive to the church from the viewpoint of their young and ignorant understanding of God through the work of Jesus. In our own individual walk with God, we also understand Him initially only by our mind's interpretation of what He begins to reveal to us. Yet in its youth, our minds cannot comprehend the depths of God's kingdom in lieu of our own. Therefore, as this passage begins with the physical portrayal of what will ultimately be spiritually manifested in the church by the power of the Holy Spirit, we, too, will progress from the practical obedience of human law into its spiritually maturity, by means of our own sanctification, thereby eliminating any evidence of legalism this passage may initially exhibit.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63)
We can contemplate words and meanings of words, contextual interpretations both literal and figurative, but it is only by calling on the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit that we will render justice to the specificity of arduous Biblical studies.
So, "...what is that to you? You follow me." (John 21:22)
(1) In Genesis 2, we read that God formed the man first and instructed him in the commands of the garden he was to tend. Although the text later states that Eve had shared with Satan that it was God who said not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden, we can understand by the spiritual context of all relevant scripture that this command would have been given to her by Adam with the authority of God behind it. Eve was not subversive to Adam when she stated that God had told her, for she recognized that Adam, also, is God's servant. So we see that Eve had complete understanding that even her authority had a greater authority.
(2) We know that Adam and Eve were desirous of one another before the fall, being of the same 'flesh and bone'. So when God was handing down the curses, He was not merely repeating a previous existing condition of affectionate desire, but rather that woman's desire would be for man's positional authority, as she had broken the only restrictive command in the garden by doing just that.
PJR
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)
NASB Interpretation
1"Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 2Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. 5But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. 6For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man's sake. 10Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. 13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God." (1 Corinthians 11:1-16) NASB
ESV Interpretation
1"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 2Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God."
(1 Corinthians 11:1-16) ESV
God has impressed upon creation the natural physical evidence of submission and authority (Romans 1:18-23) by the witness of ministering angels. (Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 1:7, 1:14, 2:2) The rebellion of Satan's angels is manifest through those who are rebellious to God by the appearance of the human body that is contrary to the image God has ordained to His elect.
In this scripture, the head covering, be it hair, a veil, hat or any other form, is only a physical symbolism of submission that communicates who their spiritual authority is. One's appearance will reflect both.
Submission is necessary in order to establish the proper authority. Obedience is the spiritual evidence for submission.
An unmarried woman in the church shows respect for and submits to the authority within church by her Godliness.
A wife should wear a symbol of authority on her head when praying or prophesying in church because she was made in the image of man. Put another way: there should be a pre-established recognition and or an immediate discernment that a woman understands her ordained position given her by God, and her covering (social appearance and spiritual authority) is evidenced by her submission. Man is her covering, but only by her submission to him. Angels are ministering Spirits that come alongside to confirm the physical evidence portrayed by her. Should a wife refuse to "wear the symbol of authority on her head", then she is instructed to cut off her hair as a testimony to this. In other words, a woman should not cut her hair short so as to resemble the image of a man, or a rebel; that is to mock her authority, revealing her defiance of her spiritual authority. Either way, her refusal to submit to her ordained authority reveals her rebellion and should forbid her to participate in the intimacies of the church.
An unmarried man shows respect for and submits to the authority of the church by his Godliness.
Men should not wear a covering on their head, because they are made in the image of God. Put another way: there should be a pre-established recognition and or an immediate discernment that a man understands his ordained position given him by God, and his covering (social appearance and spiritual authority) is evidenced by his submission. Christ is his covering, but only by his submission to Him. Physically, head coverings a man might wear will certainly have an association to the world (such as sports teams, fraternities, religious orders, etc.) and carry with it a sense of dedication and/or fanaticism. This would easily cause disruption or division among the people as well as the obvious evidence of a divided commitment between God and the world.
He should not wear long hair, because similar to the witness of the angels, nature itself testifies that it is disgraceful for a man to have long hair in the church. In other words, a man should not wear his hair long so as to resemble the image of a woman, or a rebel; that is to emasculate his authority, revealing his defiance of his spiritual authority. It is evidence enough in the body of Christ that a man who willingly wears a covering on his head or has long hair, exhibits a rebellious spirit about him. He should be forbidden to participate in the intimacies of the church because his authority is not yet Jesus.
The definition of the root Greek word for disgrace/dishonor in verses 4&5 is to "curse vehemently". These verses indicate the disrespect the woman and the man would be to their own authority; man and Christ.
When praying in a disrespectful state, who are you really petitioning to?
When prophesying in a disrespectful state, who are you really hearing from?
Thus, being out of submission you "curse vehemently" your assigned authority.
Verses 8-10 refers to the creation order in Genesis before the fall. Satan began this rebellion to his own authority by refusing to remain in his place of submission. He coveted God's position and declared in his heart that he would become like Him. Eve, having been told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, (she even conveyed this to Satan) disrespected her authority by eating of it. She left her place of submission and considered herself equal to Adam in that she chose to disobey his command.(1) The temptation was that the consequence would not be what she was told it would be; death. So by the consideration of the consequence rather than simply obeying what she was commanded, she cursed her authority, abandoned her protection, and received the consequence. The curse handed down is that women will desire their husband (his positional authority)(2) but that he will still have dominion over her. It is a picture of the ongoing battle of submission and authority between husband and wife. The same marriage analogy is used to describe Christ and His church, and so is the struggle of submission and desire for independent authority prevalent here.
So what we realize through this is that the angels who witnessed the initial rebellion in the beginning are present with us today, ministering to the world the physical example of obedience for the sake of establishing the spiritual example that by our submission, God becomes our ultimate authority, and not ourselves.
Desiring to honor God in your place of submission and sacrificing your lusts establishes your authority.
Surrendering your place of submission attempts to equate yourself with your authority.
Jesus himself did not consider himself equal to God, but submitted his flesh to humility and torment, thus receiving the blessing from it.
Satan considered himself equal to God and was cursed.
A man who does not submit to Christ curses his authority.
A woman who does not submit to man curses her authority.
Physically, man was created first and the woman was made out of the man. She was created for man. This is the evidence of his authority over the woman.
Christ is the first born of all who become heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven and is evidence of His authority over the man.
Spiritually, neither man nor woman is independent of each other, because as woman came from man, so through child birth man comes from woman; a reality of physical regeneration. It is also a picture of spiritual regeneration; the divine government ordained by God for the church, carried through each generation by the angels.
Let's consider the following Scriptures pertaining to women in the church.
"The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?" (1Corinthians 14:34-36)
"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint." (1 Timothy 2:9-15)
These two passages, along with our referenced Scripture above, each take us back to the garden of Eden to communicate very shared and relevant pieces of information that the apostle Paul bases these commands on; ordained authority, not societal acceptance and approval.
Continuing...
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." (Titus 2:3-5)
"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:1-4)
It is clear in all these passages that as well as establishing authority, they reveal the nature to be found in a woman full of the Holy Spirit, thus confirming that she will have much to offer the body of Christ by way of prayer and prophecy.
By neglecting or avoiding certain scriptures that run contrary to the culture, the church does not receive the most intimate blessings and true unity available to it. When the conditions of submission are authentically embraced and the authority ordained by God firmly established, we can be assured that the fullness of God's Spirit is dwelling within the church. Members are found to be trustworthy for spiritual responsibilities.
"Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen." (Hebrews 11:1) If we can't submit to the things that are seen how can we submit to the things that are unseen? (1 John 4:20) More accurately, if we are not intimate with the unseen, then what is seen will be the rebellion manifest through us, for it is only by the power of the unseen that we can even obey what is seen.
If our conduit with God is broken by the rebellion of compromise (and is by no means limited to our appearance), and a spirit of deception is allowed to interpret divine scripture, is it any surprise the church in the U.S. is so worldly and spiritually asleep? Whenever rebellion towards authority reigns in the place of submission, the enemy's authority will be prevalent and active in the church, thus quenching the work of the Holy Spirit.
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. "But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters." (Luke 11:21-23)
Today is very confusing for the entire body of Christ because, out of a fear of rejection by the outside world, we have compromised ourselves to a place where the church has befriended society and invited it in to influence its ways. Our failure to obey comes from our desires to be accepted and our fear of reprisal from others if we should stand firm. But look below at the example of Sarah.
"For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear." (1 Peter 3:5,6)
After Jesus ascension, women were clearly active and effective in the early church. Yet what can not be dismissed is their unique call to submission. It is her ordained humility, it is her life and power in God...it is her beauty.
It is the church that is suffering, more so than the child. It has, of course been suffering for centuries for different reasons, but each generation must come to a recognition of its own sickness. If one member feels well while the body is sick, there is a disconnect of that child from the church that God has implemented for the sake of unity. God is always patient with us. He will give good things to His children on a personal basis, but the church leaders must also allow all gifts to function, not to oppress them in order to establish their own covetous ideals as to how they think church should look. And the saints must implement their gifts within the church, not to selfishly covet them for their edification alone.
More than authority, these verses teach submission by obedience for the sake of embracing spiritual life...for there is only one faith, one Lord, and one baptism. Conforming to the world is the scheme of the enemy, to weaken God's power in the church by compromising His truth. Walking by faith and not by sight will always run counter to the majority.
It's not what we think. It's not what we want. It's not what society determines or accepts. It's what the Holy Spirit has instructed and ordained as the inspired word of God. The church struggles with this particular passage and many others like it because they will not seek spiritual understanding beyond the topical message.
Should women wear a head covering when praying or prophesying? The bottom line is found in the bottom lines: "Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God." (1 Corinthians 11:14-16) ESV
Paul supported the traditions of the present society to be relevant within the church for the cause of extending grace to the new believers, much like abstaining from eating meat sacrificed to idols for the sake of those who are weak in the faith. (1 Corinthians 10:28) As he continued, he focused on God's natural imagery placed upon His creation, as well as the spiritual, whereby submission and authority are established. In the end, having confirmed the natural state of appearance once more, he concludes that beyond societal traditions, such as head coverings, there are no such physical and legalistic practices that are required for a woman to substantiate her submission to her authority within the body of Christ. In other words, it should already be ascertained that such a woman called on to pray or prophecy has been found complete in the Lord and her physical appearance will agree. Her hair is enough. Should any one want to force this issue, Paul firmly counters, "...we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God". If a law is applied in the church, it is for the sake of the law breakers. (1Timothy 1:8-11, Galatians 5:16-25) Spiritual women do not have to be told such things. They will beautifully confirm it.
The entire message from our topic can be summed up in this way: Paul begins this directive to the church from the viewpoint of their young and ignorant understanding of God through the work of Jesus. In our own individual walk with God, we also understand Him initially only by our mind's interpretation of what He begins to reveal to us. Yet in its youth, our minds cannot comprehend the depths of God's kingdom in lieu of our own. Therefore, as this passage begins with the physical portrayal of what will ultimately be spiritually manifested in the church by the power of the Holy Spirit, we, too, will progress from the practical obedience of human law into its spiritually maturity, by means of our own sanctification, thereby eliminating any evidence of legalism this passage may initially exhibit.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63)
We can contemplate words and meanings of words, contextual interpretations both literal and figurative, but it is only by calling on the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit that we will render justice to the specificity of arduous Biblical studies.
So, "...what is that to you? You follow me." (John 21:22)
(1) In Genesis 2, we read that God formed the man first and instructed him in the commands of the garden he was to tend. Although the text later states that Eve had shared with Satan that it was God who said not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden, we can understand by the spiritual context of all relevant scripture that this command would have been given to her by Adam with the authority of God behind it. Eve was not subversive to Adam when she stated that God had told her, for she recognized that Adam, also, is God's servant. So we see that Eve had complete understanding that even her authority had a greater authority.
(2) We know that Adam and Eve were desirous of one another before the fall, being of the same 'flesh and bone'. So when God was handing down the curses, He was not merely repeating a previous existing condition of affectionate desire, but rather that woman's desire would be for man's positional authority, as she had broken the only restrictive command in the garden by doing just that.
PJR
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Perfect Strength
"My grace is sufficient for you; my strength is made perfect in your weakness." (2Cor. 12:9)
Weakness defined by God must be accompanied by authentic humility, leaning not on our own understanding, but acknowledging Him in all our ways. If we find ourselves overwhelmed in our weakness, yet feel driven to overcome it, it is no longer weakness, but an unwelcome challenge to be conquered by every means possible within our own resourcefulness. It is a futile attempt at becoming our own god and we are arrogant to think that we can sustain ourselves in His presence through the struggle. Until we finally recognize the divinely designed impartation of grace upon us, our strength is made useless in our weakness.
Strength defined by God is only recognized by those who understand what Jesus came to show us; that we consider ourselves not equal with God, but we willingly lay down our own lives that we may indeed live to Him who called us to Himself. It is now no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Our perfect strength lies in the joy of the LORD.
(Neh. 8:10)
PJR
"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live."
(Psalm 116:1-6)
Weakness defined by God must be accompanied by authentic humility, leaning not on our own understanding, but acknowledging Him in all our ways. If we find ourselves overwhelmed in our weakness, yet feel driven to overcome it, it is no longer weakness, but an unwelcome challenge to be conquered by every means possible within our own resourcefulness. It is a futile attempt at becoming our own god and we are arrogant to think that we can sustain ourselves in His presence through the struggle. Until we finally recognize the divinely designed impartation of grace upon us, our strength is made useless in our weakness.
Strength defined by God is only recognized by those who understand what Jesus came to show us; that we consider ourselves not equal with God, but we willingly lay down our own lives that we may indeed live to Him who called us to Himself. It is now no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Our perfect strength lies in the joy of the LORD.
(Neh. 8:10)
PJR
"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live."
(Psalm 116:1-6)
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Identity
A person's identity is established by the ideals they subject themselves to. For Christians, they should be those established by Jesus. Should a professing believer embrace ideals other than this, their witness will appear no different than what the world already observes, adding to the confusion of the lost. As Christ followers, it is important to identify ourselves as those bought with a price; that by our submission alone, the kingdom of God is displayed through us to the world.
Whether husband, wife, father, mother, single, elder, or child, we are called to a particular place of submission in Christ and it is here our identity becomes fruitful. Surrender is entirely contrary to our human nature, and it is only by faith that we enter into our identities, by the evidence God Himself has given us.
Those of us who defy subjecting ourselves to our mandated roles, struggle with the Holy Spirit that is persistent in revealing God's will, while our selfishness within fights back. The evidence of such is chaos. Seeking peace and comfort from the battles, we find ourselves engaging in one uphill battle after another, searching for creative ways to overcome the Spirit's call on our lives.
The promise of Jesus is that he will never leave us or forsake us. He continually sends people and circumstances across our path to get our attention. This is the patience of our loving Father as we endure this baptism of dying to self, that we may buried and ultimately be identified with Jesus as we submit ourselves, where we will then receive the third part of our baptism; the resurrection. Not only on the last day, but here and now.
"He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." (1 Peter 1:20,21)
PJR
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Whether husband, wife, father, mother, single, elder, or child, we are called to a particular place of submission in Christ and it is here our identity becomes fruitful. Surrender is entirely contrary to our human nature, and it is only by faith that we enter into our identities, by the evidence God Himself has given us.
Those of us who defy subjecting ourselves to our mandated roles, struggle with the Holy Spirit that is persistent in revealing God's will, while our selfishness within fights back. The evidence of such is chaos. Seeking peace and comfort from the battles, we find ourselves engaging in one uphill battle after another, searching for creative ways to overcome the Spirit's call on our lives.
The promise of Jesus is that he will never leave us or forsake us. He continually sends people and circumstances across our path to get our attention. This is the patience of our loving Father as we endure this baptism of dying to self, that we may buried and ultimately be identified with Jesus as we submit ourselves, where we will then receive the third part of our baptism; the resurrection. Not only on the last day, but here and now.
"He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." (1 Peter 1:20,21)
PJR
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:13-16)
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