Colossians 3

Man and woman devoted to each other.

1. A summary of what it means for man and woman in Christ to be devoted to each other.

   1. In the Bible there are far more similarities among men and women than there are differences between them.

• The two basic principles that govern man/woman devotion in Scripture are submission and love.

  1. Right thinking. Col 3:2

  2. Put sin to death. Col 3:5, 8, 9

  3. Put on godliness. Col 3:10, 12-15

• Man and woman devoted to one another in the family.

  1. Husbands and wives. Col 3:18 and 19.

     1. The effects of God's curse undone: Genesis 3:16. "Wives be submitted - submit yourselves - to your own husbands."

     2. "Husbands love your wives." Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

     3. Do not be bitter toward your wives. Num 5; Col 3:8; Eph 4:31.

  2. Parents and children.

     1. Parents train up their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Col 3:19 & Eph 6:4.

     2. Children devoted to their parents honor them and obey them. Col 3:20 & Eph 6:1-3.

  3. Brothers and sisters. 1Tim 5:1-2.

• Man and woman devoted to one another in the church.

  1. Submission and love govern all relationships in the church. Col 3:14, 15; Ephesians 5:21; 1Peter 5:5.

  2. Brothers and sisters. Col 3:12-15, 17; 1Peter 3:8.

  3. Saints and elders. 1Peter 5:3, Heb 13:17

• Are there differences in manly and womanly devotion to one another?

  1. Men

     1. Men must lift up holy hands in prayer without wrath and doubting. 1Tim 2:8

     2. Men must watch to avoid wrath, anger, harshness in the home. Col 3:21, Eph 6:4

     3. Men need to be the spiritual leaders in the church and in the home. 1Tim 3:1-2, Eph 5:23.

     4. Men must lead as Christ leads, with gentleness and godliness. Col 3:19; Eph 5:25; 1Peter 3:7; 1Peter 5:3.

     5. Men are to remember that with headship comes the responsibility to protect and to promote spiritual well being. Eph 5:26-27; Acts 20:28

     6. Husbands are to love their wives sacrificially. Col 3:19; Eph 5:25.

     7. Men and boys are to respect the purity and holiness of women and girls. 1Tim 5:2; 1Thess 4:3-6.

  2. Women

     1. Must dress modestly and adorn themselves with good works. 1Tim 2:9-10, 1Peter 3:3-4.

     2. Unmarried women are to keep themselves holy in body and spirit. 1Cor 7:34.

     3. Women are to care for their family, be hospitable, and serve the needy 1Tim 5:10, 14; Titus 2:4-5; Proverbs 31:10-31.

     4. Women are to guard against becoming gossips and busybodies. 1Timothy 5:13.

     5. Wives are to be in submission to their husbands and helpers to them. Col 3:18; Gen 2:18; Prov 14:1.

     6. Christian women are to guard their purity and holiness. Prov 11:22; Prov 22:14; 1Thess 4:3-6.

  3. Devotion of man and woman to each other has absolute limits in the Lord.

     1. Do not become unequally yoked with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1Cor 7:39.

     2. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. James 4:4.

     3. Avoid evil company that mocks the things of Christ. 1Cor 15:33.

     4. Do not keep company with people professing to be Christians who are immoral. 1Cor 5:11.