Regarding Woman in The Church (pt 1of 5)

The next few "Morning Messages" are for Women. I know, I know. That is rather sexist of me, but recently I have been seeing some rather disturbing posts on Facebook regarding the role (or even value of) women in general, but more specifically in the Church—even in the Ministry.

These posts have bothered me, and I feel compelled to defend the importance and significance of woman in the Church. I want to begin with what YHWH said about women.

" God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27).
"he created them male and female; he blessed them and called them Adam (humankind, man) on the day they were created" (Genesis 5:2).

Did you notice that YHWH called both male and female, "Adam" when he created them. Adam means "man." Adam and Eve were both created with God-ordained differences from each other, however, together they made a full "man," or a complete picture of God Himself. There was perfection in their union. Their differences were not a source of discord or inequality, but a beautiful compliment to each other. Together, YHWH gave them the task of overseeing and ruling His creation

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:28).

Both men and women received this commission. There is no hint that there was anything but equal authority between man and woman as they existed in a sinless state. What changed things? In the next few chapters of Genesis, you learn that sin entered the heart of Adam and Eve. The result was a temporary curse placed on both man and woman, which would affect the whole earth.

“The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you. ”

To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:14-19)

After this curse was given, it has affected all aspects of creation, from the ground itself (infested with weeds and thorns) to human relationships. I assure you that this curse is temporary, because in Christ this curse is removed.

When Eve ate the forbidden fruit and enticed Adam to sin with her, one of the consequences for women was the loss of equality with men, as men were to rule over women, instead of men and women ruling together. She would now be "ruled by her husband." However, when Jesus came as sinless Man and died as the Messiah on the cross for us, everything was restored positionally. The restoration of man (men and women) began at that very moment.

I realize that we have not seen the complete manifestation of this restoration; however, the day is coming when it will be. Let me say that another way. Everyone who receives Jesus as Savior, receive restoration as Sons of God, but not all of us walk in that restoration—yet, anyway. Through Jesus, the curse on women has been lifted. Women no longer have to receive pain in childbirth nor are they inferior to man with him ruling over them. Women are now restored to their original place and plan that YHWH intended for all His "sons." Although we do not see all things restored at this time, "legally" in the spiritual realm, they have already been restored.

Nickolas

(I send out messages like each morning. If you are interested, let me know. However, you can also find these messages at: Thought For The Day)

Comment by Sandy McCoy- Foust on June 13, 2012 at 3:22am: YAY.... very well said Nickolas!!!

Blessings!

Comment by Nickolas Hiemstra on June 13, 2012 at 7:01am: I keep reading posts on Facebook discussing why women are not allowed to teach and preach . . . well, it was bothering my and I had to discuss it. Whether others will read these, I don't know. But I will allow the Word to speak for itself, and I will leave the results to the Author. ;o)

Comment by Marshall Diakon on June 13, 2012 at 10:13am: though we may hear from some that "in Christ this curse is removed", the ground still grows weeds and drug-free childbirth is still a painful experience today. But in truth, God's grace in women is not about curses.

If the Son is in submission to the Father (and we are sure He is!), and the Bride/Church is in submission to the Bridgegroom/Christ, why would we stumble over I Corinthians 11:3? Submission always will be the ideal It is the place from which the greatest things can be taught, even as Jesus Christ demonstrated. But when women in Corinth determined in their hearts to be silent in the ekklesia (and Paul wrote in support of their decision to do so), would we be all bent because the ladies aren't carrying their fair share? This cultural push to de-submit everyone goes nowhere except into rebellion. Not only this, we are neglecting the obvious for how men and women communicate differently. Though I have seen children learn many things from men or women teaching them, I have yet to confirm a mature man learning directly from a woman standing over him and instructing him. Yes, there will be worthless men who would lie about their teaching relationships, but then there are also many diverse agendas in the world.

So then, if a women believes she should remain silent, let her do so. Must we be at pushing to force everyone to participating the way we do things? Let these women of yours in the ekklesia be hushing, for (because of their devotion in this way) they are not permitted themselves to speak.

[I Corinthians 14:34]

Men, those of you who are men, back off the ladies!

If we can read Genesis and miss how Eve was taken from Adam, then we truly understand nothing of His work.

Why worry about what FaceBook is doing? A social network is not the house of God; neither is justice or wisdom to be found there! We would do well to reconcile with brother Paul instead of ignoring him or relegating him to the culture of a simpler age.

Comment by Nickolas Hiemstra on June 14, 2012 at 5:53am: Very good. Oh, BTW, I only used Facebook as an example. I have over 5000 "friends" on Facebook and lately I have seen many posts (particularly posts from two sites) downgrading the role and importance of women, and I irritates me. I don't know how many will hear my voice, but I will not silent.

Comment by Marshall Diakon on June 14, 2012 at 7:53am: "...downgrading the role and importance of women"

possibly you have a full example of this, Nickolas?

Comment by Nickolas Hiemstra on June 14, 2012 at 9:01am: No, it is not necessary and would take too much time. The message aren't worth the time to share.

Regarding Woman in The Church (pt 1of 5)

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