Women's Lib and Jesus

Years ago, when I was young and foolish, I was very liberal. I know some people would find that hard to believe, but it was very true. I was a women’s libber. Now I did not walk in any demonstrations and I didn’t burn any of my clothes, though there were times I would have liked to, but I didn’t. The main reason I was a women’s libber was because I had been raised, all my life, being told “girls don’t do that!” Or “girls can’t do that!” Hearing those words would make me very angry. I was constantly competing against my two brothers, and anyone else who had rights to do what they wanted. Now, I didn’t want to be anything physically difficult for a woman. I just wanted to be all I could be, as God had created me for. This philosophy of “girls can’t” knocked me out of college. While I didn’t mind taking on my brothers, I wasn’t about to take a fight with my Dad. That event would not end well for me and I knew it. So I settled down to doing what I was destined to do according to my parents and I got married.

Now I had spent most of my life from as far back as I can remember in Sunday School and church. I read my Bible, I knew all the parables and stories. I went to Vacation Bible School, I did all I could to live a Christian life as best as I knew how. When things started getting bad in my life and I kept praying for answers and not getting any I eventually gave up on church. Now, I didn’t give up on God, I still prayed daily for his help and I thanked Him for the good things in my life. But I never really knew whether He heard me and if I was still saved. It wasn’t until I reached my 30s and started attending a “full gospel church” or back then they were called “Charismatic Church” and my life was changed.

This church had great teachers come in from all over the country. They taught me to learn – not to take just the word of a teacher, but it must line up with God’s word. I started reading for myself. I found some truths that changed me and I’m still changed after nearly 40 years.

The first changer was Galatians 3:28-29: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

So, God did use women. Women can preach and teach and do anything else a man can do. They both must be called, according to His purpose and saved, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Another Truth: Hebrews 13:5: Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

It’s time God’s people walked in the liberty provided by Jesus on Calvary. It’s time baby Christians stand up and live by the business of the Lord upon us.

Sandy Peffer