Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 1
". knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." -1 Peter 1:18-19, NASB
"In the Bible, differentiated roles for men and women are never traced back to the fall of man and woman into sin. Rather, the foundation of this differentiation is traced back to the way things were in Eden before sin warped our relationships. Differentiated roles were corrupted, not created, by the fall. They were created by God." -John Piper
The harmony and union God created for man and woman to experience was broken with the fall of mankind in the garden. That's when the battle of the sexes began! The first couple became alienated, blaming one another and hiding in shame.
The roles God had designed for each one became distorted. And ever since the Fall, men and women have been tempted to react in ways that distort the beauty and design of God's created order.
The biblical ideal for the man is to demonstrate humble, loving headship. But the temptation for the man is to react in one of two extremes: passivity or aggression. The man can become an extreme wimp or a domineering tyrant.
The biblical ideal for the woman is joyful, intelligent submission. But because of the distortions brought about since the Fall, she can also react in the extremes of passivity or aggression. This can result in her either living as a doormat or boldly usurping the man's headship.These role distortions and extremes make it impossible for us to enjoy the kind of relationships God intended within marriage and between men and women. Mercifully, through Jesus, we have been redeemed from this futile way of life. Because of His redemptive work on the Cross, we can now experience true unity and intimate fellowship, and we can fulfill His purpose for our lives as women. We are not left in bondage to our fallen desires.
Jesus is the Lamb of God who was slain to deliver us from the mess we had made, to reverse the effects of the Fall. When we receive what He has done, we become living examples of His grace, filling the earth with His glory.
Take Time to Reflect
First Peter 1 gives a beautiful description of Jesus' payment for us. He set us free from bondage to the role distortions produced by the Fall. Do you know that you've truly been set free because of His blood that was shed for you? Why don't you take the time to write out a description of the way this occurred in your life, then spend some moments thanking Him for His work on the Cross.
True Woman Wyoming Prayer Focus
Pray for women who will be at the True Woman Wyoming conference who are struggling with gender distortions brought on by the Fall, whether it affects their marriage, hinders their ability to work well with men, is causing difficulty in their relationships with their sons, or perhaps has even caused gender confusion that no one knows about.
Pray for a spirit of humility, forgiveness, and grace for women who have been deeply wronged by men and who may have put up walls or responded in bitterness. Pray that the Word and Spirit of God will bring spiritual and emotional healing where that is needed, and will help women "bring every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV).
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