"Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."" (Genesis 1:26-28)

When God created man and woman, He made both of them in His image and likeness. This fact and truth makes men and women equal in the sight of God, with no one being better than the other.

This foundational truth seems to have been forgotten or is at least ignored by some people. Men, in particular, down the ages are guilty of having treated women in ways contrary to how God wants.  Women can so often be treated in ungodly and unpleasant ways, and like commodities, even when they're not.

But there is hope.  Christian men can go against the tide caused by sin and instead honor women the way God wants them to be honored.

Honoring women in obedience to God

Guys, it's about time for us to stand up for God and treat the women around us with the love of Christ. Here are a few ways to do that.

1) See them as equals

We've got to see women as equals in the sight of God.

Many patriarchal and male-dominated societies in history have treated women like slaves whose main purpose is to serve men. This is wrong.

Christ Jesus treated women with respect and love. He did not treat them as slaves. Rather, He showered His love on them as much as He did to men -- He died for the sins of all mankind (see John 3:16).

2) See them as humans

Ever noticed how and when God created woman? Genesis 2:18-20 tells us that God wanted Adam to have a helper "comparable to him," and so He formed animals and brought them to Adam so he can name them.

"So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him." (Genesis 2:20)

Since there was no helper for Adam there, God made one: Eve. Fashioned from Adam's own rib, she was as human as he was. Adam perfectly rejoiced in Eve being human:

"This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." (see Genesis 2:23)

Guys, we've got to see women as humans created in God's image, just like us.

Women aren't just beautiful faces with bodies. God didn't create them for us to lust after them. They are not objects that we should think less of them.

3) Encourage them to pursue God

Lastly, we should encourage women to pursue the Lord.

When I say this, I mean to encourage them to pursue a greater intimacy with God and support them as they take on various roles in the mission field.

Women should not be limited to a kitchen ministry or crocheting fundraising job. They also ought not be labeled as second-only-to-men-in-the-church.

Guys, we should help our sisters follow hard after Christ.