An ancient Jewish proverb says, “God could not be everywhere so He made mothers.” This is not good theology but thank God He made mothers! An Irish proverb says, “A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best but his mother the longest.” Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother.” Our society recognizes the value of a mother in the saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”

Tragically, many today have lost sight of the high calling of motherhood. God has a magnificent and wonderful design for women. It is a design that fulfills their created purpose, maximizes their uniqueness, makes them a blessing to the world, brings fulfillment to their own lives and gives glory to God. How does God define success for the contemporary mother? Titus 2:4-5 gives the answer! God’s plan for the successful mother is spelled out in seven commands…..

The first command is “…that they admonish the young women to love their husbands…” Wives are commanded to love their husbands. Paul’s focus is not romantic or sexual love. It is a committed love that godly wives choose to have for their husbands. Husbands are also instructed to choose to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25). It is a determined love that is based not on the husband’s worthiness but on God’s command. John MacArthur says, “When you sacrificially love others, it becomes almost impossible not to love them. Where there is genuine practical love, genuine emotional love is sure to follow.”

The second command is to “love their children.” My wife and I adopted our first two children- Daniel and Isaac. Eighteen months ago my wife gave birth to Charles. A mother’s love is based not on a child’s physical attractiveness or personality but on their need. A godly mother loves sacrificially. She leads her child to the knowledge of Jesus. She pours her life into her children.

The third command is “to be sensible.” This includes common sense and good judgment. A godly mother is grounded. The same command applies to spiritual leaders, older men and all believers.

The fourth command is to be “pure.” This refers to moral purity and, in this context, marital faithfulness. Peter gives a similar command. He said, “Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, or of putting on fine apparel; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very gentle in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:3-4). The godly mother focuses upon spiritual virtue. A Christian woman is devoted not to temporary beauty but to true godliness. Modest yet thoughtful clothing reflects the inner beauty of Jesus inside her. A godly mother walks with moral control. Her passions

The fifth command is “to be workers at home.” A young boy said to his mother, “How old were you when I was born?” His mother replied, “Twenty-three.” He said, “Wow, that’s a lot of time we missed spending together.” The greatest gift you can give your young children is your undivided attention! When the mother is away from home younger children are most often cared for away from home. Young children need to be home as much as possible and not be deprived of their mother’s companionship and instruction. One person said, “The home is where a wife can provide the best expressions of love for her husband. It is where she teaches and guides and sets a godly example for her children.” When a tree is young you can bend it. Children must be shaped, directed and eventually released. The home is where a godly mother can find authentic and satisfying fulfillment as a Christian and as a woman.

The sixth command is to be “kind.” They are to be gentle, considerate and loving. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus set the supreme example for kindness. He came to earth and died for us even when we didn’t deserve it. He bore our sins on His body. He was willing to die and be buried and rise again for our salvation.

The seventh command is “to be subject to their own husbands.” A loving wife is willing to follow the servant leadership of her own husband. She realizes that he cannot achieve his God given potential apart from her. Her primary focus becomes her husband and her children.

No biblical standard is more viciously attacked today than the God ordained role of women in society. The God ordained institutions of marriage and family are the primary foundations of a strong nation. These biblical commands are not outrageous or archaic but necessary and vital.