By 'Gbenga Bankole
Christ Apostolic Church, Oshodi zonal headquarters, Oshodi, Lagos, on Saturday July 17, 2021 held a programme tagged “2021 Oshodi Zonal Council Refresher Course.”
The theme of the refresher course is “Reaching the Greatest heights in the Ministerial Assignments.” One of the resource persons of the pragramme is the DCC Superintendent of Itire DCC Pastor Gideon O. Oladokun.
While ministering on the topic;”The obligations of Ministers of God to their wives”, the Zonal Superintendent of CAC Oshodi Zone, Pastor F. F. Daramola urged Ministers of God be a leader and not a ruler to their wives, adding that the Scriptures provide a clear organizational structure for a marriage, quoting 1 Corinthians 11:3 which says ”but I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
He said God placed ultimate responsibility with respect to the household on the shoulders of the husband and the Lord has assigned the wife the duty of obeying her husband yet, this obedience must be a voluntary submission on her part, and that only to her own husband, not to every man.
“"Head" does not mean male dominance, where a man lords it over a woman and demands her total obedience to his every wish and command. God never viewed women as second-class citizens. His Word clearly states that we are all equally His children and are of equal value and worth before Him. The teaching of the New Testament clearly shows that women are to be respected, revered, and treated as equals with men. Unfortunately, many husbands have not gotten the message. They degrade their wives by neglect or with insensitive and abusive treatment. Are you a leader? God has placed the husband in the position of responsibility. You are not demanding this position; on the contrary, God placed you there. You may not lead her perfectly, but you must care for your wife and family by serving them with perseverance.,” he stated.
Pastor Daramola further advised ministers of God to love their wives unconditionally, saying that:”your unconditional acceptance of your wife is not based upon her performance, but on her worth as God's gift to you. One of the missing ingredients in male leadership in homes is sacrificial action. When was the last time you gave up something for your wife, something you genuinely valued? Sometimes you need to give up something you enjoy so your wife can have a break and see your love for her.”
He told minister of God that they should serve their wives, adding that according to the New Testament, being head of your wife does not mean being her master, but her servant.
“One of the best ways to serve your wife is to understand her needs and try to meet them. These needs differ at different stages of life. Your wife has a different set of needs that you should try to meet. What is she worried about? What troubles her? What type of pressure does she feel? Learn the answers to questions like that, and then do what you can to reduce her worries, her troubles, and her pressures,” he explained.
The Cleric advised ministers to love their wives as their own body and be considerate and respectful as you live with your wife.
Love her just as you love yourself. You cannot get away from your body. When our bodies have some need, we don’t delay in taking care of them. So, a husband should show the same care for his wife; he should be as sensitive to her as to himself. A husband must identify with his wife in her illness as he rejoices in her health. Whatever need or desire a wife may have, whether it be physical, spiritual, emotional, or relational a husband seeks to meet it according to his light and power. In this way he serves her and loves her as if this were his own body that he was dealing with.
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