Authority (Part 3)

The very first structure of authority established by God was the home in Genesis 1-3.  Here is God's  structure for the home: 

The Bible teaches that the husband should be the head of the home.  The authority of the husband in the home is to be based on love:

Ephesians 5:23 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body."

Verse 25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it."
 The wife is to be under the loving authority of the husband:

Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."

Together, the wife and husband are to be in authority over the children:  

Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord;  for this  is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

Parents are also warned in Verse 4:

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

All authority carries with it responsibility.  Parents must exercise godly authority with love.  Husbands must exercise leadership  that is like that of Christ for the Church.  They are not to be bossy and cruel and require the wife and children to serve them like slaves.  They are to relate to their family as Jesus does to the Church.

Husbands should listen to their wives, as they are a gift from God and a helpmate. How can a wife help a husband who never listens to her and disregards her opinion?  There are Biblical records where God told men to listen to their wives (Abraham) and where God spoke first to the wife before speaking to the husband (Manoah).  This is why it is important for a husband and wife to respond properly one to another.  It is interesting to note that one of the reasons God called Abraham to the great responsibility of ministry was that his home was in proper order.

Each authority structure is to be a fair and loving one.  Unfortunately, in every structure, authority has been abused and people do not always act in a loving and fair way.  The authority structure God has established in the home vitally affects ministry.  If the home is not in order then one cannot exercise proper leadership in ministry which is a greater responsibility.  This is why God established a properly ordered home as a requirement for leadership in the Church:
 
1 Timothy 3:2; 4, 5 "A bishop then must be. . . one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;"

"(For if a man  know  not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church  of God?)"

Titus 1:6"...the husband of one wife, having  faithful children not accused or riot or unruly." 

The Bible also speaks of prayers being hindered when there is disharmony between a husband and wife. Our homes would be much safer and more prepared against the attacks of the enemy if we live under a godly example of authority.