Equal Before God (Galatians 3:28)
/Male chauvinism.
This is the charge that the liberal pundit levels against the Bible. But are they truly reading the Bible or spouting off rhetoric that makes for good sound bites? What does the Bible say?
We start at the beginning.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
Man and women were created by God and both were created in His image.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
And in Jesus Christ, there is no distinction, both are one.
In any relationship, there must be a leader and follower. But taking on these roles does not necessarily indicate superiority of one over another; one is not greater or lesser. In the Godhead, God the Father sends the Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is sent by the Son, Jesus, who proceeds from God the Father. The Son is subordinate to the Father and the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and Son. None are greater or lesser.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
Ephesians 5:22-23 (ESV)
In a marriage between a man and a woman, the man leads and the woman is subordinate. But the responsibility of the man is held to a much higher standard.
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
Ephesians 5:24-25 (ESV)
A husband must lead by surrendering himself and being completely subordinate to the rule of Jesus Christ in his life. He must have the same self-sacrificing love that Jesus has for the church.
Male chauvinism? Not quite. It is God chauvinism, enthusiastically embracing God by putting Him first in all our relationships.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.