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The "H" Word

Words of Faith Final

The "H" Word

Words of Faith 4-9-2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

www.faithfellowshipweb.com

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Ephesians 5

[21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

 

      There has been a lot said and written in Christian circles about "headship."  If the "S" word is submission, then this is the "H" word.

      Remember that the context of submission in marriage is mutual submission out of reverence for Christ. A marriage that begins in humility, surrendered to Christ, will navigate the issues and decisions of life walking in the power of Christ. In this context, Scripture declares the husband to be the "head" of the wife.

      But what does that mean?  The text is literally one sentence which reads-- Being submissive to one another in the fear of Christ, the wives to their own husbands as to the Lord because a husband is head of his wife as Christ is head of the church being himself the Savior of the body.

      Some think this means something like a "head of state," the legislative dignitary who makes laws and speaks on behalf of the family.  But the Scripture does not say that. The Scripture is very specific that the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church. 

      Christ was not a lawgiver but a grace maker.  Read that again, slowly. A husband is head of the home in the manner of Christ. This is not as a centurion is head of a regiment.  Not as a Governor is head of a region.  Not as an Emperor as head of an empire.  But as Christ is head of the church.  This is very important.

      Paul defines "headship" as being like Christ who was the servant of God sent to the church suffering for her redemption.  Christ is head of the church by servanthood and sacrifice to the point of death on the cross for His bride. Christ does not boss– He empowers.  Christ gives gifts to complete the mission. Christ gives grace equal to every need.

      The word for "head" is kephale, and it means "the part that can be readily taken hold of, taken captive or grabbed, like the head of a cane."  This refers to accountability and vulnerability rather than dominance. The head is the point most vulnerable to attack.  The husband is the point of positional protection and vulnerability for your family. This is why the Enemy attacks the husband when attacking the family.  Hitting at this point of vulnerability can be devastating to the family.

      If we are to take this text seriously, a husband must realize that they are not the "head" of the family in a manner of power or domination.  The husband is called to be the redemptive leader and healer of the family who, at least in a symbolic way, is responsible for the salvation of the family.

      Is that overwhelming, guys?  It ought to be.  It is something that you can never achieve.  It is something you are utterly incapable of.  It is something that will cause you to throw yourselves at the feet of Jesus, seeking His strength and mercy.

      And what if there is no husband in your family.  God is the husband to the husbandless, and He is the bridegroom of us all, for we are the Bride of Christ.

 

       Father God, strengthen the marriages and families of the Body of Christ.  Give witness to the wonder of Your grace and majesty through the testimony of marriage and family.  Strengthen those points that are vulnerable to attack.  Teach us how to love as You love and lead as You lead.  In the Name of Jesus.