Understanding Biblical Authority In The Family

Ok .. this will be fun!  This morning I want to address the issue of Biblical authority in the family.  But from a different slant.  Authority and responsibility are two sides of the same coin.  They go together.  If you try to disconnect them – things don’t go well.  I suspect that when most people read Ephesians 5:23 – “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body.” The thought is about being the boss.  Remember that the Bible has both practical and spiritual application.  The Father is the head of Christ – Christ is the head of the Church – the husband is the head of the wife (family).  The husband is responsible for the family – he is the “responsible” source of provision for the family – just like the Father and the Son.  

It is possible to delegate authority – but you cannot delegate responsibility.  In a practical sense – a wife may work as well to provide money for living expenses – but the husband is still responsible for providing for the family.  When that doesn’t happen.  When the husband does not accept the responsibility – the family does not function as it should. Remember – this idea has spiritual roots.  It’s God’s design.  Man has a penchant for doing this his own way – and the consequences are not good. Do you see why it is important for the woman to marry a  Christian man?  Someone who is not is incapable of fulfilling God’s purpose and design.  That is not to say that even a Christian will not reject the responsibility God has ordained for the husband. That is what we call “sin”. 

So what about authority?  Simply - authority is the power to carry out your responsibilities.  Often times, men will want to exercise their authority without accepting the responsibility.  King of the house – if you will.  That is exactly what most women fear.  Verse 22 says “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the LORD.”  Jesus is trustworthy.  You are not afraid that He will abuse His authority or shirk His responsibility.  Now when it comes to mortal man – not so much.  Verse 22 says that wives must acknowledge the responsibility and authority – given by God to the husband.  The trouble comes when the husband does not fulfill his role.

What is his role?  Read verse 25. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” Oh – so the husband is to be like Christ.  If the husband is not a Christian then he cannot fulfill this command – impossible. If the husband is a nominal Christian – living in the flesh – then he very likely won’t fulfill the command.  Just like he is not fulfilling the others.  And by the way, while most of the focus tends to be toward the husband – the same can be said for the unsaved or spiritually errant wife.  It takes the power of God to fulfill the commands of God.  If one or both are not walking by the Spirit – they cannot fulfill these Biblical mandates. Amos 3:3 asks the question “How can two walk together unless they be agreed?” 

Something to think about. CHARLEY