Page 45 - No Apologies

husband as "lord" instead of as a partner goes against everything society teaches.
The influence of society impresses upon women the thought that marriage is an
opportunity for the man and woman to jointly pursue life, liberty and happiness. The goals
and desires of the woman are put on the same level as the goals and desires of the man. This
sounds fair and reasonable, but it is a departure from the image of the woman as man's
helper. The modern conception of marriage presents the woman as co-equal to man.
Husband and wife are both pursuing individual goals and desires. The wife expects the
husband to help her achieve her desires and goals as much as she helps him. The man is
viewed as the woman's helpmate as much as the woman is the man's. Does this not sound
reasonable?
To suggest that the woman should subjugate her life, her dreams and her desires to
that of the man appears preposterous. At times it is hard to perceive the degree to which the
world and the church have departed from the will of God. Like the proverbial frog in the pot
of boiling water, changes in attitudes have been gradual. People have adjusted themselves
to the changes. They do not seek escape, even if the changes are killing them. It may be
easier to see the degree to which the church has departed from the ideal set forth in
Scripture by observing the parallels between the woman’s relationship to man, and man’s
relationship to Christ.
The apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 11:3 that Christ is the head of man, and man
is the head of woman. These are parallel relationships. Let us therefore look at the man’s
relationship to Christ. It would be dishonoring for me to describe Christ as my "partner."
He is my "Lord."

John 13:13
"You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.”

As a man, I am called to set aside my desires and focus upon the will and desires of
Christ. My plans for life must be abandoned. I must hate my own soul in order that I might
be a disciple of Christ.

Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate... even his own life (psuche - soul), he
cannot be My disciple.”

Matthew 16:25
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake
will find it.”

What Christ is expressing in these words is that man must yield up his life, all the
dreams and aspirations of his soul, all his personal goals and ambitions, and give his life to
a wholehearted pursuit of the will and desires of Christ. This is what Christ did in relation
to His Father.

John 5:30
“I can do nothing on My own initiative... I do not seek My own will, but the will of
Him who sent Me.”