Morning Moments

Well, here we go today with another one of those difficult passages that is so often interpreted as sexist but isn't when we understand the context, custom, and culture. Paul continues to deal with the place of women in public worship -

2:12 - "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

The key phrase is found in the words "not to usurp authority." He will explain what he is saying in the next few verses. But let's look at this one today.

Is he saying that it is forbidden for a woman to teach? Of course not, otherwise it wouuld conflict his teaching regarding women praying and prophesying as we see in 1 Corthians 11:5. There were many women in the New Testament with effective ministries, such as Dorcas, but the point here is that she, as we, are to remain "under authority". What authority? The God established authority of the local assembly with elders, presbyters, bishops, overseers, pastors or shepherds.

Everyone is under someone else's authority, and we are all to mutually submit ourselves to one another respectfully. That does not exclude leaders. There is no place in the New Testament Church for a single leader who is to ride herd over everybody else, even if some do it. The body works together. We do not have the same function, but we are all to work in harmony and unity.

THIS may be a good place for me to deal with the issue of authority. We are probably the most rebellious generation of Christians to ever live - especially here in America. The spirit of our society of independence has rubbed off on the church. Let me illustrate this whole principle, and cover some off the problems before we proceed.

Imagine yourself driving along a clearly marked 55 mph speed zone at 70 mph. You are making good time and driving carefully. THEN out of nowhere you see the blue lights of a state trooper's car behind you. With a sigh of disgust you say to yourself, "Where did this guy come from?" You pull over, roll down your window, and with a "smile" say, "Good Morning, officer," as you hide your disgust. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was speeding officer." You get a ticket for $125 bucks, politely say, "thank you officer", roll us your window steaming.

"I cannot understand for the life of me why these jerks aren't out catching crooks, killers and dope runners", you say to yourself. "Besides, he could have politely asked me to slow down without giving me a ticket." Hmm, I suggest you are rebellious and disrespectful. THAT, is the spirit of the age in which we live and it is rarely different with Christians.

"Who does not pastor think he is?" "I don't care if the Bible does say that, that was then and now is now and things are different now." "I don't care if he is my boss, I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind." The sign may say "handicapped" but I am in a hurry, and besides there are other spaces for them." You drive along unwrap your candy bar and throw the wrapper out the window. I could cite a thousand examples of how we demonstrate our rebellion. It is in ALL of us whether we care to admit it or not, and it is precisely why the fruit of the Spirit if temprance or self control. We all need it, don't have it, he gives it, we live it - that's how it works. We function under authority and according to Paul if you resist the authrority, you resist God...end of story!

To conclude, let me simply say that the Church is to function within the guidelines and under the ultimate authority of God. If you have a problem with established authority, then you have a problem with God. Just because one does not agree with the established authority doesn't mean he/she is not to submit respectfully to it. If one is asked to violate the Scripture by another in authority, he/she should respectully appeal, but not rebel.

THE POINT AND PRINCIPLE HERE IS THE ESTABLISHED AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH - and whatever authority you are under (Romans 13). More later.

BLESSINGS!

Oops, I just have to add something here. Have you ever been TOLD to do something by a parent, employer, officer, anyone in authority and responded with, "Well, if you would ask in a nice way, I MIGHT do it." You are rebelling! Stop denying and start repenting if you have a rebellious spirit. It will alienate and destroy you. It indicates a lack of discipline on our part and should result in consequences. It is why the public education system in America has gone down the drain. Parents are rebellious toward those in authority over them and kids live what they learn. I would not tolerate this attitude when I taught high school. We all want to know where the boundaries are and we will all ocassionally push them to see if they hold. Now go do the right thing.