God has a special purpose for women. This is something that we've been discovering in the Jesus Fellowship over the years.
In today's society the roles have become blurred. Men often wear the pinny whilst women go out to work. Sadly this is sometimes necessitated by unemployment and financial pressure.
But it's not God's perfect way. God wants men to be men and women to be women. It makes sense really. He created us male and female. He should know what's best for us!
So, are women inferior?
No! God's not into first and second class status. He's into equality! The blood of Jesus reaches men and women alike! In scripture it says that there is neither male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.
So, as women we don't need to prove our equality. God has done it! This world is full of people trying to be who they are not -- square pegs trying to fit into round holes. And it brings frustration, anxiety and depression. In the church of Jesus it's different. Women can relax and be women. Jesus women!
So, who is woman?
The Bible tells us how mankind began with the creation of Adam and Eve.
God made Adam from the dust. But Adam needed a helper. So, God put Adam to sleep and formed Eve from one of his ribs. We read that "man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man".
Adam was created first and given responsibility by God. Eve was formed to help and support Adam. God's order was established. If we argue with that, we argue with God!
So, how does God's order work?
"The head of every man is Christ, and the head of every woman is man".
As women we accept the headship (leadership) of godly men. This is not a question of equality but of social and spiritual role.
When Eve did her own thing instead of consulting Adam, things went wrong.
It's just the same today! When women try to lead men in the church, things go wrong! It's not God's way for us. This is not a burdensome thing. It's the way of blessing, freedom and fulfilment.
So, can women minister in spiritual gifts?
Yes, of course. Women are gifted by the Holy Spirit, just as men are. In the Jesus Fellowship there is opportunity for exercising gifts and ministries. They are many! From acts of mercy to praising and prophesying! When the Holy Spirit inspires them, women carry power, authority and love. They build up the church.
There is leadership potential as well. In the Jesus Fellowship women lead women's groups and mixed cell groups. There's lots of room for evangelising and reaching the lost too. Soup for the homeless, or deliverance for the bound -- it's all in a woman's work!
So, what about dress and fashions?
Well, we recognise that men and women differ in role, appearance and dress. We try to dress simply and modestly. We don't go in for fashions which provoke sensuality. In the Bible we're encouraged to give more importance to the 'inner man'.
Better to spend time in prayer, or serving, than in front of the mirror making up our faces!
So, let's take our place
So, come on women -- let's go for godly femininity! Let's be gifted 'sisters' and 'mothers' in the church family -- with the beauty of holy, sensitive, character, with the strength of pure thoughts, emotions and desires and with a visionary determination to take the gospel to the people and build the church of the Lord.
We'll kick the world's approach to things, and get back to God's way. We'll be women on fire! We're a vital part of the Jesus Revolution!
Women
