A look at today’s modern relationships between men and women reveals glaring issues of inequality, and this inequality has a devastating effect on gender relations. Many marriages end in divorce because of wrong-thinking in this area, but man’s domination over woman was never God’s original plan. In the beginning, God made man and woman as equals, in His own image, and gave them dominion over all creation.

Adam and Eve had the perfect relationship, but sin destroyed that. As a result, the dynamics of the relationship between man and woman changed, and the husband came to rule over the woman. Over time, we’ve come to believe what religion teaches us about how marriage ought to be, but the truth Jesus reveals in this area completely contradicts religious teachings. Marriage according to worldly standards can feel more like bondage, but when we know the truth according to God’s Word, it will make us free.

Because of sin, the Law of Moses was given and, under the law, men were to rule over women. When Jesus came, He replaced the law with grace and truth, and put both genders on equal footing. He erased “the great divide” and broke down the middle wall of partition between not only men and women, but between all people.

We now have the freedom to establish relationships based not on some religious expectation, but on the knowledge of the truth. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, there is now neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female; we’re all one in Him. Originally, God gave both genders a mandate to exercise authority over creation, not over each other. Marriage should be all about an equal partnership, not about domination, and we can all give thanks for this.

Prayer:

God, Your original plan for mankind was equality in all areas, but when sin spoiled it, You took steps to correct the situation. Thank You for sending Your Son to lift the curse of inequality and domination. All who believe in Him now receive blessings instead of curses. We thank you for your blessings. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

• Genesis 1:26, 27
• Genesis 3:16
• John 8:32
• John 1:17
• Ephesians 2:14
• Galatians 3:28