Are women simply second-rate in terms of their callings, ministries, and functions in the Lord, in comparison to men? I know that for many, this topic is quite sensitive, but we have to talk about it. It's a must.
God-given roles
I've seen and heard stories of women in church being given roles of service but not roles of leadership. I've seen Spirit-filled women full of wisdom and discernment being rebuked for simply pointing out something wrong in the church. And yes, I've seen women take on roles that are only limited to singing, assisting a pastor, or running the Sunday school for the kids.
There's nothing wrong with women being given support or service roles in church. But there is definitely something wrong when a church chooses to deny a woman the opportunity to do what God tells her to simply because she's a woman.
To help you understand what I mean, let's go to Genesis 1:26-28.
"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.""
Roles
From the very first chapter of the Bible we read what God had created. On the sixth day we read that God decided to create man so that man could have dominion over what He had created. And so God created man and woman for that purpose.
Based on this, we should understand that both the man and the woman were given the same mandate. They were to fulfill God's will together as equals in God's eye.
While we read that God created Eve to be Adam's "comparable helper" (see Genesis 2:18), it didn't mean that Eve was second-rate. She was of no less value than Adam. Both of them were equals in God's sight, with the husband having the burden of the responsibility fall first on him, and the wife there to help him in the pursuit of fulfilling God's will.
So what do we learn here?
Friends, our sisters are no less than us. While Peter tells us that they are the "weaker vessel" especially in terms of physical strength (see 1 Peter 3:7), they are not of less importance. They are our equals in the grace that God has given, in the mercy that God has showered, and in the callings that God has called us to.
Even Jesus had women helping Him in during His earthly ministry:
"Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance." (Luke 8:1-3)
We also read of women whom God called for great works of leadership or ministry:
- Deborah, a woman God appointed to be Israel's judge:
"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time..." (Judges 4:4)
- Esther, a woman God raised to be a queen for the deliverance of His people:
"And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"" (Esther 4:13-14)
- Priscilla, Aquila's wife, who excelled in her service to the Lord Jesus Christ:
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles." (Romans 16:3-4)
In conclusion
Brothers, let us celebrate the wonder of working with our sisters for the glory and pleasure of our Lord. If you're a husband, realize that God wants you to work hand-in-hand with your wife, your equal in the plans that God had for you.
If you're a woman in the church, be encouraged that God doesn't see you as less than your brothers. You are important to Him, no matter what your role is.
