Christian Equality

Verse of the day: Numbers 27:7 “The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right; you shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father’s brothers, and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.”

Genesis 1:27 tells us, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” In a day when women are fighting to be seen, and treated, as equal with men, it is important that we understand this one thing, at the cross, in the presence of God, men and women are equal (Galatians 3:28). God has established roles for each of us, but when it comes down to it, we are equal. The greatest example of this equality and distinction of roles is God Himself. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equally God, yet they each play a specific role in our lives. They do not try to outdo one another in an attempt to be superior, as they are equally God, and are God Himself, but respect the role that the other plays in our lives. In this passage, I must say that I respect the approach taken by the daughters of Zelophehad. They were not boisterous, or disrespectful. They were not looking to have more rights than men, and they were not looking to be given special treatment. They were simply looking to protect their rights as it pertained to honoring their father. In return, God honored their request. As Christians, we should be treating one another with love and respect. Before God tells the woman to submit to her husband, and a man to love his wife, He says this to us, as Christians, in Ephesians 5:21, “Submitting to one another in the fear of God.” The Apostle Paul goes on to spell out the role of both the wife and the husband in respect to how they are to treat one another. The wife is to submit to her husband, and the husband is to love his wife (Ephesians 5:22-32). Sadly, there has been a mindset within the church that says that submission means that the person who is submitting is inferior (the wife), and must obey every command of the one who is superior (the husband), even if the request is unreasonable and ungodly. This has led to many abusive relationships, and men who essentially bully their wives. In an attempt to come out from under this kind of behavior and treatment, women have taken on the mindset of the world, and essentially doing what Eve did in the Garden and taking on the leadership role that has been assigned to the man, and doing all they can to portray men as sheepish, ignorant, and incapable of leading. Men, we must stand up and lead as God has called us to lead, and doing it in a way that honors God. This means that we must treat those whom we are called to lead with respect and honor. 1 Peter 3:7 reads, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” Notice that the Apostle Peter did not say, “Treat the wife like the weaker vessel”; he said, “giving honor to the wife”. In other words, esteem her, treat her with worth, and praise her; protecting her, providing for her, and letting her know how much she is appreciated. It is no secret that most women have been created physically weaker than men have; however, this does not mean that they are weaker in their ability to think. Women can be as talented as men, and in some areas even more talented. The roles that have been assigned to each of us as Christian men and women, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, are not to be looked down upon as being inferior or look upon as superior to one another; for in Christ we are all equal. Galatians 3:28 clearly states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” If we carry out our roles, as God has assigned them, we will receive reward in due time. Women were created for God’s glory, just as much as men were. When a man follows the Lord and does his best to lead righteously, in accordance to God’s Word, and a woman follows, in righteousness, and is the helpmate that God desires her to be, they both honor God. If a Christian woman feels she is being treated unfairly or abused, by a Christian man, she has the right to bring her concerns before God, and to the ones who are called to lead the church as under shepherds of Christ. That is what these daughters did when they brought their concern and request to Moses. As God’s people, we must not allow ourselves to be foolishly drawn into the world’s thinking when it comes to what “equality”’ between men and women means. We must do all we can to preserve the roles that were laid out for us as Christian men and women so that our lives and relationships model that of the relationship that exists with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; so that God will be honored in our lives and before the world.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).