At our baptism, we made the choice to obey the commandments of Christ, to give all our allegiance to Him, and to strive to be as perfect as He is. Christ gave His life for us. What is expected in return ? . . A Faithful Continuance in Well Doing! (Rom. 2:5-7)
In order to continue in “doing well” we must consider our place within the divine hierarchy which God has established. We can do this by looking at 1 Cor. 11:3, “But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man and the head of Christ is God.” This reference clearly brings out the proper order of relationship:
GOD
Christ
Man
Woman
God created man in His image and for His glory. Woman was created for the glory of man. (1 Cor. 11:7).
She was made secondly; she was made from the man; she was created for the man; she was created as a help-meet—a mate designed for and suitable for the man. The woman was not created from man’s head to be ruled over; not from his foot to be stepped on, but from that place closest to his heart to be loved, cherished, to be a part of him.
Yahweh’s plan has not changed, and our place in His plan has not changed. We, by the grace of Yahweh, will have our place changed when we serve His dear Son in the kingdom; from then, and only then, will there literally be neither male nor female, neither Jew nor Greek; for we shall all be as one.
If a Sister is an intelligent, active, useful, noble servant of Christ; her being a Sister is no disqualification or barrier; it only precludes her from the act of public speaking and involves subjection to her husband. It does not shut her up to babies, pots, and pans though these will dutifully receive the right share of attention at her hands. She is a partner, a helper, a fellow heir in all things pertaining to Christ and the man who would degrade her from this position is not fit for a place in the body of Christ.
For both men and women, there is a place in the Kingdom of God. Though they neither marry nor are given in marriage we may depend upon it that God, who never makes mistakes, has a place in the higher state for the companionship arising between man and women as constituted in this preliminary state. This is one of the sweet secrets we wait to see disclosed. Meanwhile, they stand related to the same rules of admission. Each must be faithful to Christ in their several spheres. The man must be enlightened, believing, courageous, trustful, prayerful, and obedient; and the woman must be no less in her more contracted circle. She must aim particularly at those active, multiplied, repeated and untiring good works in the Lord which obtained for sisters of old the approbation of the Lord and the praise of His apostles. Thus may both earn for themselves a good degree which will shine forth with glorious luster in the blessed ages that are to succeed the present evil world.
Sisters As Helpmates
That old cliche “behind every good man there’s a good woman” can be true in the family of God. Where marriage is involved, “behind every good brother should be a good sister.”
By her loving submission and gentle cooperation in the home as a service to God, a woman can help guide her husband and create unity of mind that will weld them more completely in a marriage at will make of them “one.” It gives er far greater satisfaction than that which so-called “woman’s liberation” will to.
How refreshing it is for a man to arrive home after a pressuring and troublesome day to be greeted with warm affection and a well-prepared and tasty meal; to welcomed to a home that radiates a relaxing cheerfulness in contrast to the bleak existence apart from it.
On the other hand, how warming it is or a wife and mother to receive due appreciation for all that she does in the home for the family. Love is of greater compelling power than law; it is easier to get a person to do a thing because he or she delights to do it than to compel them to do so against their wishes. And if one loves another, there is a desire to please, yen though it involves self-sacrifice.
Never go to sleep at night without saying “I love you” to your mate. Never put children to bed without expressing tour love to them, regardless of what the day has been like. Thoughtfulness and the surrender of self are the constant and sure ingredients of a good marriage.
Marriage is a process of constant adjustment brought about by a fervent desire to assist one’s partner to attain unto the Kingdom of God. Thus each must learn to surrender those habits, desires and aims which are not conducive to the spiritual well-being of the marriage and of the other partner.
A man and his wife must be altogether frank with one another at all times. There should never be anything about which they cannot talk openly and there should be no hidden parts of our lives. Remember that Christ knows everything instantly and in full.
We Are Helpmeets. We must do our best to create a spiritual atmosphere in our home that is supportive of the work done by our husbands for the benefit of our spiritual well-being and that of the ecclesia. If our brother-husband does not have public speaking ability we can help him to develop his talents in other areas. Every ecclesial responsibility is equally as important as the other! Don’t discourage him, encourage him—empathy not sympathy.
Should he possess the ability to exhort and/or lecture, make the time to help him with research and typing, as well as constructive criticism. Take an interest in what he is doing. Be sure the children have things (quiet things) to occupy their time while he is laboring in the Lord’s service so that he is not being constantly interrupted. Be sure to make the children aware of the importance of his work. and of it’s spiritual value.
In order to be a useful tool in the Master’s hands, we as sisters must be properly educated in His Word. We must know how to use the aids available to us such as the concordances, Bible dictionaries and the beautiful, helpful and readable works of our Brethren throughout the world! We must make the time to read and study by ourselves.
Hospitality plays a big part in being a helpmeet. We must always be ready to welcome any prospective candidate into our home. A warm smile can generate a relaxed atmosphere and express your delight in having them there. Be prepared for such occasions. Be intelligent and well-informed. Be a good “back-up” with your Bible marked and the concordance on hand so you can be ready and willing, should your husband request your assistance.
Our doors must always be open to our brothers and sisters (even to those to whom we’re not so inclined). Hospitality is very important. We should not be so engrossed in the providing of material things that we forget the spiritual. It is necessary to provide food for our guests, but to spend so much time in preparing a variety of dishes that we have no time for anything else means that we are getting our priorities wrong. A simple meal served in a calm atmosphere must be more relaxing and helpful to a visiting speaker than a big spread served by a hot and harassed hostess, who has no time to sit and rest or quietly talk of more important things.
Sometimes our hospitality seems to be extended to people who are able to reciprocate or recompense. We are apt to invite brothers and sisters to our homes and have a happy time together. Later they invite us back. All of this is very enjoyable, of course; but we must always remember “the loner”! Fellowship is a vital part of our spiritual lives.
The actual meaning of the word translated “hospitality” is ‘love of strangers.’ Jesus emphasizes this in Luke, chapter 14:
When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kingsmen, nor thy rich neighbors, lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
As proper helpmeets, we must not forget to be good friends, companions, and “pals” to our husbands. Attend ecclesial functions as a “couple” or a “family.”
A Single Sister could be a “helper” rather than a “helpmeet.” Some sister-wives can’t type. Others need baby-sitters and all need friendship and sisterly love. Remember we are all one family in Christ. The single sister often has more time to give and a little less responsibility at home. Single sisters should make every effort to attend all ecclesial activities and services. They should get into the habit of reaching out to make new friends in the Truth.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One