Marriage, just like our born again experience with Christ, was meant to be a relationship, not a contract.
If our marriage relationship is to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church, then we know that it has been sealed by Christ.
Ephesians 4:16 "from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
Matthew 19:5-6
"5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
"Cleave" means to adhere firmly and closely, loyalty, unwavering devotion. To leave all others to cling as glue to the intended love. Not only in our marriage should this be the case, but also in our walk with Christ.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."
When we were in Israel, I remember the sheep and goats of a shepherd we met. I wanted to pet the animals, the Jewish man saw this but the sheep were paying no attention to me at all when I called them.
When the Jewish man spoke a couple of words in Hebrew the goats came running immediately to his side, where I could pet them. The goats and sheep did not recognize my voice, but knew his immediately. They clung to him with amazing devotion.
I loved this real life picture of God's principle of the born again believers knowing the voice of the Savior. It also made me think that marriage is a picture of the relationship that should be between Christ and believers.
When we violate the marriage, by adultery or divorce, then we wound the witness to unbelievers of Christ's love for us, and the permanency of our relationship with Him.
John 10:27-30 "Matthew 19:5-6
"5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
When we are married we become one with our spouse, just as we become one with Christ when we become born again. There is a spiritual union in both matters. A union that cannot be severed by man, and God will not sever it because God never breaks a promise to us.
As He expects us to keep our promise to Him and our spouse.
2 Peter 1:3-4
"3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
You see now that marriage and our born again relationship with Christ are permanent!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Husbands and Wives Love One Another
There are those who are teaching men in churches that their wives are nothing more than their property to be bossed about and to serve them. This could not be farther from the truth.
1 Peter 5:3 "nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock."
A man who is a true leader, instructs, and is an example of what he instructs, but he does not force or manipulate with meanness and anger.
Any man who requires absolute obedience from his wife is not understanding the Biblical mandate for the woman to be the help meet.
A wife is a coach and mentor to her husband. The husband is to heed her warnings and instructions. Any man who refuses to listen to his wife is a narcissist and walks in arrogance.
A godly man never treats his wife with this kind of disrespect. God told the husband to treat the wife as the weaker vessel. That term "weaker vessel" brings the connotation of a delicate China cup to be cherished and protected.
The husband's greatest concern should be not for his own desires but for the nurturing and protection of those whom he leads.
Selfish manipulation and a demanding spirit is no where to be found in the Word. The men that do this are sure to frustrate their wives and end up scratching their heads when the wife pulls away and even runs away.
When we are treated with respect and honor, then we are able to revere the husband.
When a husband treats a wife like she is a possession or a child, he creates rebellion in her, breaking her spirit and her heart. If anyone did that to him then he would rebel too.
We do not treat people like our personal slaves to do our bidding. We treat everyone with honor even in our leading.
1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."
Let's remember that leadership is by its very nature actually serving.
One who will not serve, neglecting his own things for the sake of others, is not worthy to be a leader.
The woman has been given charge over the house hold. God gave that position to her, not her husband. Her husband is to honor the mandates of the wife in the household, even to taking off his shoes if that is one of her rules.
Proverbs 1:8 "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
Mothers and Fathers both teach and train the children. When the mother makes a rule, it is up to the Father to uphold that in the sight of the children. When the Father makes a rule then it is up to the Mother to uphold that also, unless either one is doing something against God's will, then there must be discussion and refusal to disobey God over the submission to the spouse.
Acts 5:29 "But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."
A man is to lead his wife in righteousness. If he does not then the woman must choose righteousness in spite of her husband. If a woman will not follow the lead of her husband in righteousness, then the husband must pray and continue on with God no matter what his wife does.
1 Peter 5:3 "nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock."
A man who is a true leader, instructs, and is an example of what he instructs, but he does not force or manipulate with meanness and anger.
Any man who requires absolute obedience from his wife is not understanding the Biblical mandate for the woman to be the help meet.
A wife is a coach and mentor to her husband. The husband is to heed her warnings and instructions. Any man who refuses to listen to his wife is a narcissist and walks in arrogance.
A godly man never treats his wife with this kind of disrespect. God told the husband to treat the wife as the weaker vessel. That term "weaker vessel" brings the connotation of a delicate China cup to be cherished and protected.
The husband's greatest concern should be not for his own desires but for the nurturing and protection of those whom he leads.
Selfish manipulation and a demanding spirit is no where to be found in the Word. The men that do this are sure to frustrate their wives and end up scratching their heads when the wife pulls away and even runs away.
When we are treated with respect and honor, then we are able to revere the husband.
When a husband treats a wife like she is a possession or a child, he creates rebellion in her, breaking her spirit and her heart. If anyone did that to him then he would rebel too.
We do not treat people like our personal slaves to do our bidding. We treat everyone with honor even in our leading.
1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."
Let's remember that leadership is by its very nature actually serving.
One who will not serve, neglecting his own things for the sake of others, is not worthy to be a leader.
The woman has been given charge over the house hold. God gave that position to her, not her husband. Her husband is to honor the mandates of the wife in the household, even to taking off his shoes if that is one of her rules.
Proverbs 1:8 "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
Mothers and Fathers both teach and train the children. When the mother makes a rule, it is up to the Father to uphold that in the sight of the children. When the Father makes a rule then it is up to the Mother to uphold that also, unless either one is doing something against God's will, then there must be discussion and refusal to disobey God over the submission to the spouse.
Acts 5:29 "But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."
A man is to lead his wife in righteousness. If he does not then the woman must choose righteousness in spite of her husband. If a woman will not follow the lead of her husband in righteousness, then the husband must pray and continue on with God no matter what his wife does.
Instructions Not A Mantra
Christ gave us instructions in how to pray. The instructions are not the mantra to repeat, but steps to observe in prayer.
Luke 11:2-4
"2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”
Luke 11:2-4
"2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”
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