Today’s study touches upon a difficult subject – mainly because most people have already fairly fixed views on the topic of  the status of each sex (male, female) and it’s usually a cultural view – not one based on biblical truth.

I think this quote from today’s study – says it all: “There is a spiritual equality between the sexes, and ‘in the Lord’ neither sex is better than the other.”

There’s equality in spiritual status, but there are different roles – and men and women’s roles are clearly defined in Scripture. The apostle Paul was careful in his writings to make sure that the followers of Jesus had a clear view of what God had planned for the different sexes (if it’s his idea or it is based on custom – he tells us). If, in those early days, people had really understood God’s message and Paul’s preaching – then the Church would have treated women in a much better way then they did; and, in some areas still demonstrate their ignorance of the truth of spiritual equality with different (that is, not equal) roles (Here, I’m mainly referring to the relationship of husband and wife.)

I know what Selwyn is trying to say when he writes: “Men and women have different roles, but there is a great difference between role and status. ‘In the Lord’ men and women are not viewed as independent, but interdependent.”

Yet, something tells me that the discussion on this subject has been so confused over the centuries that the only sure way for anyone to come to a proper understanding of this issue, is to pray for the Holy Spirit’s help – to  clarify what God wants us to do in this area.

1 Corinthians 11:11-12 (NLT): “But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born from a woman, and everything comes from God.”

[Note: In regard to the covering of a woman's head in Church - Paul gives us the background: 1 Cor 11:16: "if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this, and neither do God’s other churches." Consequently, this was a custom - it is not a direction from God. In addition, wealthy women spent hours having their hair braided in complex patterns with jewels often included; it was also a sign of (family) power and position. One could understand there being a recommendation for women to cover their hair and, in a sense, cover their social inequality - presenting themselves as equal to other women, in their community.]

Any comments?

Well, for me, the best part of today’s study were the verses, selected for reading and meditation – I’ve highlighted the bits that stood out for me.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece – throughout both Macedonia and Achaia (northern and southern regions of Greece).

And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven – Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.”

I’m not a person who looks at people – even great evangelist like Billy Graham, or inspirational writers such as Selwyn; and think what a wonderful work they have done in changing lives. We are all servants of Jesus – it’s the work of His Spirit through us, that does the work in making Jesus known – we are but the clay pots (the flesh and blood, or if you are into computers the ‘wetware’) who carry His message. The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life – no one else is involved! Thank God for Pentecost!  

John 3:5-8 (NLT), Jesus taking to Nicodemus: “Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

I wonder why this part of John’s gospel is so hard for some, to understand?

Regarding Selwyn’s conclusion: the divine seal, has God’s Name on it.  I’m sorry – I just can’t contemplate any sort of discussion about apostolic succession – I just can’t see the point in that type of discussion.

But, if you think it’s important – please let me know why it is.

I thought that Selwyn expressed well, the idea of a seal, in his conclusion: ” … At a time when many could not read, a seal was extremely important. A mark stamped on clay or wax was a sign of ownership, of authentication. The Corinthians had been won for Christ by Paul (through the power of the Holy Spirit) and thus were the sign that his commission had indeed been divinely given.”

Likewise, the following verses from Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV),  highlight this symbolism of a seal: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, (even) Christ. [The headship is Christ.]

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.”

We are chosen, predestined – according to the hope we have in Jesus – sealed with the mark of the Holy Spirit; now, isn’t that something to give thanks to God – to recognise His glory, in planning for our salvation?

Selwyn now looks at another ‘in Christ’ passage in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. To a certain extent – I find this an unusual topic – because not many of ushave had the experience of ‘seeing’ our Lord. Perhaps, I’m wrong?

1 Corinthians 9:1 (NIV), follows: “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?”

Of the three times mentioned by Selwyn of Paul being a witness to our Lord’s resurrection; I found the last instance to be interesting, Acts 22:17-18: “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ he said to me. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ “  

The interest was mainly created by the fact that I had completely forgotten about this event. That’s what I like about reading Scripture – even thought I’ve been through the Bible a number of times – there is always the occasion – when I say to myself: ‘Wow, never noticed that before – how great to ‘see it’ now, it’s just so relevant to my current situation’. Have you had similar experiences?

Selwyn says in today’s study that the qualification needed to be accepted as an apostle is (Acts 1:21-22): ‘ … men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us …[and] a witness with us of his resurrection.’ Paul may not have seen Christ in the flesh, but he had seen Him in a vision at least three times.

I’m not too worried about the question of whether or not apostles function today – it’s not really relevant. We DO have the Holy Spirit with us – we have not been left as orphans by God – He is with us, and that’s the important truth.

Always keep hold of this vision – Jesus loves you – He will never abandon you, at any time!

I think this is a difficult subject – the one which Selwyn addresses today; it’s centred on 1 Corinthians 7:39 (RSV): “If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, (but) only in the Lord.”

There are many example of where marriage between two Christians has failed; the main reason being that being Christian does not make you ‘immediately’ perfect.

I guess Selwyn’s conclusion is as good as it gets – there is a better chance of a Christian marriage surviving the many storms of life as compared to one where Jesus is not involved (has not been invited) in helping each partner to live their marriage vows.

Selwyn writes: “If you follow only your own wishes when choosing a marriage partner, and do not aim to align those wishes with God then, when your wishes change, the marriage may go to pieces. If, however, your marriage is firmly founded in the Lord, it can be held together by the commitment you both make to Him.”

I think ‘forgiveness’, is a key spiritual gift – that when used within Christian marriage; heals many a ‘rifting’ episode.

What are your views?

I think it is interesting that Paul often differentiates  between God’s Word and his (Paul’s) advice; for example, verse 12 of  1 Corinthians 7, reads: ‘Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord.’

The main text which Selwyn uses for today’s study, follows [1 Corinthians 7: 17-24, NLT]: “Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.[Notice the distinction between the old covenant's rule about circumcision and God's commandments; the latter summed up in these two words - 'to love'.]

Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you – but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.”

Selwyn’s conclusion, catches the main theme: “The social system in Paul’s day might have forced a person to be a slave, but despite that outward compulsion, he or she was inwardly free – free to carry out their Christian calling, in other words, to represent Christ in all they said and did.”

We are called to serve Jesus and to be a light on our local hill, in the place where we find ourselves. All Christians are called to represent Christ to the world – it is not the sole responsibility of a person in (Church) ministry. We are not, to just become outwardly identified as Christian, at a weekly church service on a Sunday. We are inwardly free to follow Jesus – 24/7; and, we should continuously exercise that freedom, to glorify God.

Do you agree?