Woman – know your place!

(Actually, everyone: men, women, and children
should find and know their role.)

Romans 1:26-27
   for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
   And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman…

The Apostle Paul likens the body of Christ (the Christian people) to a physical body.  We all have a differing role to play.  Some are a hand, some are an eye, some are an ear, etc.

1 Corinthians 12:14-15,27
   For the body is not one member, but many.
   If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
   …Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

If you're not in your place in life, you are vulnerable to predators like a hatched bird leaving the safety of the nest.

Proverbs 27:8
   As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

How do we find our place in the body of Christ – our role in life?
Many look to The Law of Moses, as The Law of Moses is perfect.

Psalm 19:7
   The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul

But when we follow all of its rules, we make mistakes through sin, and we fall under a curse.
(For more on The Law, click here.)

Galatians 3:10
   For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Fortunately, we have a new and better covenant.

Hebrews 8:13
   A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 8:6
   …a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

How can the New Covenant (Testament) guide us to our role?

Because Christ left this world (shed blood, death), we are able to receive the Holy Spirit since the day of Pentecost.

Matthew 26:28
   For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

John 16:7
   Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Acts 2:1,4
   And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…
   And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit guides and intercedes for us.

Romans 8:14
   For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:26
   …the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

John 16:13
   Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Proverbs 3:5-6
   Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
   In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Christ’s death (going to the Father) for the New Covenant allowed the Holy Spirit to arrive and give us power.

John 14:12
   Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Matthew 26:53
   Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Matthew 17:20
   …ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.      

Those who are guided by the Holy Spirit even fulfill The Law of Moses.

Romans 8:4
   That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:18
   But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

1 Corinthians 2:15
   But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Key to finding your place is being ‘sanctified.’
Being sanctified is to be made saintly, holy, set apart to God.
Generically, being sanctified means to be in the state of proper functioning.
A screwdriver is sanctified when it is used to tighten screws.
Yes, you can use a screwdriver to hammer nails into wood, but this is not the state of proper functioning – not full ability.
A formula one race car is sanctified when it is used on a smooth, curvy, race track.  While it can be used on rough, country roads, this is not proper function, not full ability.
A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he lives according to God's design and purpose.

2 Timothy 2:21
   If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Accordingly, we all need to find our place and role for sanctification.
Jeremiah was sanctified as a prophet.
Jeremiah 1:5
   Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Paul set apart for God’s use.
Galatians 1:15
   But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace

If we are called as a helper, but we are acting as a leader, we fail.
1 Corinthians 12:23
   And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

Ephesians 2:10
   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Perfection demands that an eye not function as an ear.
1 Corinthians 12:17
   If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

2 Timothy 3:17
   That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Chosen – but for what?  Find your place.
Acts 9:15
   But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel

Don’t serve tables if your place is dedicated to the Word.
Acts 6:2
   Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

1 Corinthians 12:28-31
   And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
   Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
   Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
   But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Start to find your role in life by seeking God through prayer and fasting!

Acts 13:2
   As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said…

Ezra 8:21
   Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us

Daniel 9:3
   And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes

2 Chronicles 20:3
   And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

2 Samuel 7:18
   Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

Psalm 37:23
   The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 25:4-5
   Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
   Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.