Whatever We Do

6.20.2011

1 Timothy 2:11-15 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. NIV

I will not even pretend to be an authority on what Paul is saying here – it kind of baffles me. I could write Paul off as a male-chauvinist pig after reading this and claim that he is simply hoarding public ministry to the realm of men excluding women from teaching, preaching and instructing others. I could also play the Paul’s Way in Paul’s Day card – that culturally this is just the way they did things way back then; but now that we moderns are so progressive and enlightened, we do them another way with more consideration for the contribution women, and their place of equality in our emancipated society.

I could believe all that except for this: if there has ever been a need for godly women and mothers to be godly influencers of their children at home, it is right now. I can think of several moms who’ve taken up the role of godly instruction to their children and have established a mission field at home. They take a huge interest in their children for God’s sake, and the sake of their kids. They involve their children in all sorts of activities and teachable moments, and their faith in Christ seems to thrive in the midst of it. They understand the principle that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. My hat is off to Kristi, Melissa, Adriel, Pearl, (to name a few) and the many others I know who’ve taken their place as teachers of the young and noble keepers of the home. Their salvation in Christ is through faith, and their purpose in life is godly focus on their kids and their homes.

Father in Heaven,
Wherever we are, whatever we do our faith is in Jesus and our trust is in you – amen.