When it comes to the Bible, there is a lot of twisted doctrine in our world, which takes the Word of God and distorts it. I think it’s important that Christian’s are not easily influenced or lead astray by new age, unbiblical, presumptuous, or otherwise misinterpreted teachings of God’s Word. I do believe that even great leaders of the Christian faith take and have taken the Word of God and misused, abused, twisted, or discarded truths of the Bible. I don’t believe any of us have all of the answers, when it comes to God, and I know that growing in our walk with Him is a lifelong process. Yet, we need to be wise in which Pastor’s, Preacher’s, teachers or mentor’s we listen to. Make sure that you match the words of professing Christian’s with God’s Word. God’s Word is the ultimate truth and authority in any believer’s life, whether it comes off the page or out of someone’s mouth.
One thing that has bothered me about the Christian faith is the effort on the part of various professing Christian’s or Christian denominations to twist God’s Word, in order to oppress women and make them subordinate. I would love to delve more deeply into this topic, but I’m not going to at this time. Instead, I will be brief, I will quote scripture, and I will leave an encouraging message for women who may feel beat down or demeaned by the unbiblical lies that have been told to them.
First of all, God loves you, and He does not see you as a second class citizen. While some Christian’s may be lead to believe that men and women are not equal, the Word of God does not profess this as truth. God loves women and men alike, and the Lord does not favor one gender above another. Romans 2:11 says, “God does not show favoritism.” Women, you are special, precious and valuable in God’s sight! After all, you were made in God’s image. Genesis 1:27 says, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Men were not the only creation made in God’s image. “In the image of God…he created THEM (Genesis 1:27).” While men and women often have different and unique abilities, God created men and women to be equal, and to live together in harmony and unity.
Secondly, you are a leader and you have authority, if you are in Christ. Men are not the only gender that God created to be leader’s or to have authority in the Christian faith, in the world and in life. God created men and women alike to rule over the earth, and God has given men and women alike power and authority by filling them with His Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:28 says, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” This sense of equality was lost during the fall, and at this point men and women began to struggle to dominate each other, as opposed to working together in perfect unity. When Jesus came, however, He conquered sin and made thing’s right with the world again. Ladies, it is up to us whether we choose to believe the lies of the enemy and of the world, or if we choose to walk in the freedom that God has for us. This struggle for “control” or “domination” of one gender over another still occurs today. We see this in our world, and we see it in the church. It is very sad to see men who claim to follow Jesus dominating and abusing women in the church and twisting the Word of God, in order to keep women subdued, quiet or in bondage. Ladies, this is not God’s will for us.
Thirdly, you are free! Hold fast to God’s Word. John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” If you are a born again believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, then you are God’s child and you are free. Men and women were set free from sin and from the lies of the enemy, after Jesus came and sacrificed His life for the world. Stay in God’s Word and believe His truth and promises to you. Listen to His voice and know that He loves you so much that He sacrificed His life/ the life of His Son for YOU (John 3:16). God is not only calling men, but He is calling women to step up and be the hands and feet of His body. God is calling women to preach, teach, pastor churches, serve in the church, serve on the mission field, serve in their homes, witness to the lost, and to many other magnificent and worthy causes and adventures in His Name, in order to fulfill His will and plan. Being a good wife and a good mother are admirable, endearing, and beautiful positions worthy of the utmost adoration and respect, but don’t limit the call of God on your life, and don’t believe anyone who tells you that is all that you should be. God may be calling you to more! Seek Him and His voice.
Women are precious and valuable in God’s sight. God has a special plan and purpose for your life! “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).’” While God has a special plan for women and men, and each gender is different, this does not mean that women are less valuable, unworthy, secondary, and so on. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that there is no male or female in Christ, and by saying this, the Word is showing us that we are all equal. Galatians 3:26-29 says, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Open your heart to serve the Lord in whatever way He needs you. If you are married, then know and understand that the call God has placed on your life is just as important as the call that God has placed on the life of your husband. Unity in marriage is important, so make sure that you and your husband work together and that each of you is fulfilling God’s plan individually and as a couple.
If no one has told you lately how valuable you are as a woman, then I am telling you now. You are valuable, beautiful, precious and worthy of God’s amazing love, by His grace! You were made in His image and called by Him to fulfill a unique purpose in your lifetime. You were not an accident and you were not a mistake. God knew you before you were born. God is saying to you, beautiful woman, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).” God is calling you to live an abundant life, free from the bondage of sin, and forgiven by His grace and the blood of Jesus Christ. “So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir (Galatians 4:7).” By the grace of God, you have the opportunity to live in freedom, have an intimate relationship with God, change the world, and have eternal life in Heaven! I hope this message was a message of encouragement to you today. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then please pray the prayer below.
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in You. I confess all of my sins to You. Please forgive me for my sins and wash me in Your blood. Thank you for making me a new creation in You. I repent of the life of sin that I have been living, and I ask for You to come into my heart and life. I give my life to You and confess you as my Lord and Savior. Renew my mind and reveal to me what Your will and plan is for my life. Thank you for saving me and for forgiving me. –Amen
God loves you and so do I!
