Colossians 3:18-21 contain rapid fire commands for wives, husbands, children and fathers. But in context, these commands have everything to do with Jesus Christ being supreme over all things. In fact, they are a relationally-relevant, counter-cultural, God-glorifying response to the supremacy of Christ.

In light of the fact that Jesus--in his life, death and resurrection--is exalted above all things, how is this shaping your response in the role(s) where God has you? 

• Wives, submission is the joyful support and loving service of your husband. Your husband needs your help and in God’s plan there is no one in the world that he would rather have help your husband than you. He needs your input, he needs your thoughts, he needs your prayer, he needs your patience, he needs your willingness to follow his leadership even if it is flawed.
• Husbands, don’t merely tolerate your wife. Don’t become roommates living under the same roof. Love her. Continue your pursuit of her day after day after day. Make sure that she knows more than work, more than children, more than hobbies, more than recreation or rest, you love her. She is your primary ministry, she is the apple of your eye. She’s not your old woman, she is the love of your life.
• Children, obey your parents in everything without grumbling, complaining or delaying. Why? “For this pleases the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20) Your obedience to your parents is pleasing to God because you are honoring the one who gave you your parents.
• Fathers, do not provoke your children. As fathers we can do this in a number of ways. We can be overbearing. We can exasperate our children with too many demands, too many issues, too many words of correction. We can vacillate where everyone in the house is on eggshells trying to figure out how is dad going to respond today. We can nag our children or deride their efforts and criticize them.

Church, let's be shaped by the exaltation of Jesus in our relationships the way the Bible says it is to shape us. Have a blessed week!