An Invisible Army of Angels
God's grace to you on this first week of July.
July 4th is a special time in the history of our nation, and we do well to remember and celebrate the sacrifices made for our freedom by those who gave their all. Our country was founded on the principle of freedom. But our founding fathers would be the first to tell you that freedom from tyranny is not freedom to do whatever you want. In fact, the opposite is true. When a person has been under the domination of another, true freedom means the ability to live and do what is right with a clear conscience. I believe this applies to what Paul is saying to us today.
There are really two issues at stake in the text we have before us. The first is the understanding of a hypocritical lifestyle which takes the freedom given to us and runs it in the way of excess. Secondly, is the witness this gives not only to the people around us but to the heavenly host who are watching. Hear what Paul says to us today.
For if a woman does not cover her head, have her also cut her hair off; however, if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, have her cover her head. For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 1 Corinthians 11:6-10
In the verses last week Paul addressed the fact that a woman is to honor the one who is her head. While this may sound like an odd way of saying it, Paul is talking about the relationship of husband and wife and the husband's role as the head of the household, and the responsibilities he bears.
There seemed to be in the Church at Corinth the belief that freedom in Christ meant that a person could do whatever they wanted to do, regardless of the implications or its effects on other people. While it is true that Paul is stating this to the extreme, his point is that if a woman is going to act the part of an unfaithful wife or a prostitute then she should look the part. Don't be hypocritical. If you’re going to act like one, then look like one. So, if a woman insists on having her head uncovered which is against cultural norms of that day, then go ahead and shave her head.
Paul then reaffirms the order of creation and the fact that the man was created in the image of God and the woman was created for the man. This was intended to be a blessing to the woman as she became the focal point of the love of the man, in which he would sacrifice all that he was to love her as he has been loved by God. It is only when sin takes hold, and a man abandons his role as the head of a household and moves from dominion to domination that the woman suffers.
This in no way makes a woman inferior to a man, rather reflects the order of creation in that a man was created to bear the image of God one way, while a woman reflects the image of God in a totally different way. Men and women are equal, but they are not the same. We live in a culture today that equates equality with sameness. Not only is this untrue, but it results in women being abused in horrible ways.
The second aspect Paul addresses in this text is the witness given to those who are watching. Now last week, in much the same way Paul addressed the witness given to those who might be present in the worship assembly when a woman is praying or prophesying with her head uncovered. Culturally this was a taboo way of behaving. The apostle Paul takes it one step further today when he makes the statement Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
What does Paul mean when he says because of the angels? When addressing the topic of angels, there is much confusion, especially in the realm of guardian angels. Just to be clear, there is no one specific angel assigned to any particular individual as their guardian angel. While it is true there is no single angel assigned to an individual, God does send forth the myriad of angels to protect his children. So, in other words, you might need one angel today, and a whole legion tomorrow depending on what the devil is seeking to do to you. The angels are always present with those who believe in Christ Jesus, and their job is to protect us as God's guardians. Consider the following passages,
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven— angels long to catch a glimpse of these things. 1 Peter 1:12
“See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14
A particularly pointed passage also comes from the writer to the Hebrews when he says, Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it Hebrews 13:2. In other words, the angels are present among us seeing all that we do. They are forever faithful to God in all things. And even as Peter wrote, they marvel at the salvation God has provided for His children through His son Jesus.
The angels were created by God to be servants, not to be the focus of His love. As those who serve God faithfully, the angels are amazed at the extent of God's love for us. It is because they understand the magnitude of God's love, that they do not understand when God's children fail to be faithful to Him. It is the angels who stand as silent witnesses to all that we do, be it in public or in private. In truth, we are never alone.
The point the apostle Paul is making is that we should be every bit is concerned about the witness we give to the angels of God as to the man down the street. What we do and the way we do it matters. Our Christian witness is vital both in our worship and in the world.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Russ
July 4th is a special time in the history of our nation, and we do well to remember and celebrate the sacrifices made for our freedom by those who gave their all. Our country was founded on the principle of freedom. But our founding fathers would be the first to tell you that freedom from tyranny is not freedom to do whatever you want. In fact, the opposite is true. When a person has been under the domination of another, true freedom means the ability to live and do what is right with a clear conscience. I believe this applies to what Paul is saying to us today.
There are really two issues at stake in the text we have before us. The first is the understanding of a hypocritical lifestyle which takes the freedom given to us and runs it in the way of excess. Secondly, is the witness this gives not only to the people around us but to the heavenly host who are watching. Hear what Paul says to us today.
For if a woman does not cover her head, have her also cut her hair off; however, if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, have her cover her head. For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 1 Corinthians 11:6-10
In the verses last week Paul addressed the fact that a woman is to honor the one who is her head. While this may sound like an odd way of saying it, Paul is talking about the relationship of husband and wife and the husband's role as the head of the household, and the responsibilities he bears.
There seemed to be in the Church at Corinth the belief that freedom in Christ meant that a person could do whatever they wanted to do, regardless of the implications or its effects on other people. While it is true that Paul is stating this to the extreme, his point is that if a woman is going to act the part of an unfaithful wife or a prostitute then she should look the part. Don't be hypocritical. If you’re going to act like one, then look like one. So, if a woman insists on having her head uncovered which is against cultural norms of that day, then go ahead and shave her head.
Paul then reaffirms the order of creation and the fact that the man was created in the image of God and the woman was created for the man. This was intended to be a blessing to the woman as she became the focal point of the love of the man, in which he would sacrifice all that he was to love her as he has been loved by God. It is only when sin takes hold, and a man abandons his role as the head of a household and moves from dominion to domination that the woman suffers.
This in no way makes a woman inferior to a man, rather reflects the order of creation in that a man was created to bear the image of God one way, while a woman reflects the image of God in a totally different way. Men and women are equal, but they are not the same. We live in a culture today that equates equality with sameness. Not only is this untrue, but it results in women being abused in horrible ways.
The second aspect Paul addresses in this text is the witness given to those who are watching. Now last week, in much the same way Paul addressed the witness given to those who might be present in the worship assembly when a woman is praying or prophesying with her head uncovered. Culturally this was a taboo way of behaving. The apostle Paul takes it one step further today when he makes the statement Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
What does Paul mean when he says because of the angels? When addressing the topic of angels, there is much confusion, especially in the realm of guardian angels. Just to be clear, there is no one specific angel assigned to any particular individual as their guardian angel. While it is true there is no single angel assigned to an individual, God does send forth the myriad of angels to protect his children. So, in other words, you might need one angel today, and a whole legion tomorrow depending on what the devil is seeking to do to you. The angels are always present with those who believe in Christ Jesus, and their job is to protect us as God's guardians. Consider the following passages,
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven— angels long to catch a glimpse of these things. 1 Peter 1:12
“See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14
A particularly pointed passage also comes from the writer to the Hebrews when he says, Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it Hebrews 13:2. In other words, the angels are present among us seeing all that we do. They are forever faithful to God in all things. And even as Peter wrote, they marvel at the salvation God has provided for His children through His son Jesus.
The angels were created by God to be servants, not to be the focus of His love. As those who serve God faithfully, the angels are amazed at the extent of God's love for us. It is because they understand the magnitude of God's love, that they do not understand when God's children fail to be faithful to Him. It is the angels who stand as silent witnesses to all that we do, be it in public or in private. In truth, we are never alone.
The point the apostle Paul is making is that we should be every bit is concerned about the witness we give to the angels of God as to the man down the street. What we do and the way we do it matters. Our Christian witness is vital both in our worship and in the world.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Russ
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