Ephesians shows us that
authority is a channel of redemption; in all the universe under Christ, and then echoed in the family under the husband, parents, and employers.
On of the accents of the letter of Ephesians is the authority of Christ over all creation. All things are being “summed up under Christ.” He offers “surpassing power” and strength in accordance to the “working of his might.” He is seated at God’s right hand, “far about all rule and authority.” and God has put “all things in subjection under his feet.”
The point is clear: Jesus has supreme authority. Parallel with this idea, is that Jesus uses his authority to bring life and redemption to his people. The Christ that is seated with supreme authority is the same Christ through whom we are “made alive.”
In chapters 5-6, Paul shows how the connection between the new life in Christ and life in the family and workplace. What is interesting is that every one of Paul’s instruction for the family is centered around an authority structure. The chapters show that Christian are called to echo with their authority what God is doing with Christ’s authority—making it a channels of life and peace and joy.
Authority does not rank high in the polls right now. To win people toward embracing authority in the home as husbands, parents, and employers we need to start were Paul starts. Not in the home, but in the reconciliation of the universe under Christ according to the eternal plan of God.
1 comment:
David,
Good point. Might I just add that Ephesians 5 is also one of the most beautiful pictures of how our family should be structured. Not just that it shows an authority structure like Christ has authority over all but it also shows a submission under that authority. For Christ subjected himself willingly and lovingly to God (I Cor. 15:28)as we should willingly and lovingly submit ourselves to him and to one another (5:21).
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