Roles with a Purpose: How God Intended Men and Women to Serve

God's greatest creation was mankind! He created man differently than everything else. Not only, did he breathe life into man, he created man in His image to share his likeness and to bring Him glory. Our God is intentional and orderly. He has a plan and a purpose for all things. He does not make mistakes. Therefore, He is trustworthy.

Sometimes, I have read the Bible and not liked what I read. Either I thought it was harsh, I didn't understand it, or I didn't think it was fair. I have been guilty of putting my human ideas in a higher position than God's divine ways. I might not say it out loud, but my actions have shown that I thought my ways were better than God's. However, if I believe the Bible to be true and I trust God, I have to trust that what He does and says is the best way.

God's defined roles for women and men can be an issue where some believe God's ways are not the best. Some believe God made women inferior to men, or He does not love women like He does men. Based on scripture, this is not true. God created men and women differently, but that does not mean they are not equal. It simply means they have different purposes. When God designed the world, He had a purpose for every single thing He created. When His creation operates in a way to fulfill it's purpose, it glorifies Him.

Let's take a look at 1 Timothy 2:1-4, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (emphasis added). All includes women! God wants all of His children to be saved and spared from eternal damnation. If God wants this for all people, He can't think women are less than men.

This same passage goes on to give instruction within the church, "Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." (verses 8-10) To understand these verses, you must understand the culture at this time. Women were coming to church dressed excessively and inappropriately and causing distractions in the church. Paul was telling Timothy to instruct the women not to be a distraction, so that everyone could focus on worshiping God and serving others. This does not mean women can't dress nicely and wear jewelry. It just means you should not be dressing in a way that distracts men from God. Your focus should be on serving the Lord.

Paul wraps up chapter two with further instruction for women, "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety." (verses 11-15) Again, you must consider the context of the culture before you make judgment on these verses. In this time, women were not educated. They were seen as less than men by society. Therefore, they were not permitted to learn, much less teach. However, there were some women who were new believers in Christ. These women were trying to teach others what they learned. Paul was telling Timothy to tell these women not to do that because as new believers have no place teaching others, woman or man. In order to teach, you should be further along in your faith in order to wisely instruct others.

Sometimes, the Bible may seem offensive to you. However, when you remember that our God is loving and wants what is best for you, it helps you take a step back and seek understanding. There are things we will never fully understand about God until we are in His presence. Until then, we can trust that God is good. We can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand. Then, we can surrender our opinions and thoughts to God!

If you have questions and need help, contact us. We don't have all the answers, but we would love to share what we know with you! Check out our video for more teaching.

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