Followers of God
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."( Eph 4:32 )
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
The first mention of a sweet savour, was the sacrifice of Noah.
Gen 8:20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Gen 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
We are to be living sacrifices, a sweet smelling savour to the LORD. (Rom 12:1,2) Think of this as we begin each day; to the saved we are a blessing but to the ungodly we are as the convicting presence of the Holy Spirit.
2 Cor 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2 Cor 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2 Cor 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2 Cor 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
How can we willingly sin if we are the savour of righteousness in Christ Jesus?
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Fornication is any sex outside of the marriage bed. Uncleaness of actions or thoughts such as pornography or unhealthy acts and attitudes.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Covetousness is greedy desire to have more. Jesus spoke of this;
Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
You may say, well, no one is perfect, everyone does these things. Beware lest you fall too far and find yourself in God's final judgment. Easy salvation follows with a life given in obedience to our Lord's commands. If you do not follow, perhaps you never belonged to him?
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
1 Tim 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
1 Tim 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Tim 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Unfortunately some ministers appeal to the flesh with foolish talking and jesting, ommiting the gospel and the power of God's word. We can be guilty of sillyness too. What does the seeker find when he enters our Internet chats, or our Church fellowship meetings?
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
This is further amplified in Revelation.
Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
All liars; can we see how important the truth is? There are so many false cults and religions; all are following lies. We must keep the torch of God burning. We must speak the truth in love, warning those on a lying path; warning idolaters, sorcerers and pimps that they are headed towards the wrath of God. It is important that we take our callings seriously. When a seeker comes in desperation, do we give him foolish talk? Do we condemn them? Hold back; talk and listen and wait for the Spirit of God to guide you as you speak the truth of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
We need discernment, everything must be examined by the light of God's word. The Holy Spirit brings to mind the word of God, so we must study and to fill our hearts with the truth of God.
2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Cor 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
We do not join in their folly but first we must be obedient servants so that we may use His authority to correct the disobedient and bring them to God's truth.
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
We are no longer the children of darkness.
Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Take up your lamp, fill it with the oil of the Holy Spirit and follow your Lord Jesus in love and obedience.
Secret Shame
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) is good, righteous and pure, not as the works of the flesh.
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Evidencing in your life what is acceptible to God. Think of your life as the evidence the Lord uses to show himself to the world.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
1 Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Don't associate with evil sinful behavior, but rebuke and convict those who do, even as the Holy Spirit convicts you when you sin. We are not to give condemnation, but we are to stand for what is right and not go along with those who sin as the world.
2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
We are still in this flesh body, so we must be careful not to fall into sin. Grace is no reason to be sinning. Do not go into darkness.
Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
We cannot hide the light of God that we have and go secretly into sin. It will be found out and for sure the Spirit of God in you will be grieved. We are to be pure, the light of God in a sin darkened world.
Walk in Light
Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Whosoever that are corrected are corrected by the light of truth and the fire of the Holy Ghost; for whosever does make truth to appear is of the light.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
To speak in darkness is to speak in lies and deception. Some do this as enemies of Christ.
1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1 John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
If we are lost in darkness we only go by feelings and often are fooled by the dark one. When the light comes we see clearly and can correct our thoughts and actions based on the revealed truth of God, usually from the Bible.
Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Awake, from the unreality of a dream world and embrace the light of truth in your new life in Christ Jesus. If you are seeking the light of truth, then do not go to sorcery and witchcraft, but come to Jesus Christ. Come out of the cursed life to the life of God's truth and blessings. Come to reality, be free from the bondage of the past by coming through faith to Jesus, the light of the world.
Isa 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
To be circumspect is to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life, as a watchman. We are to guard the truth of God's word, not being foolish seeking the thoughts of the lost in the world Because you see and are made perfect by the word of truth, walk diligently, perfectly and not as unwise ones without the light. We are accountable to what is revealed to us. Share the wisdom that God has given to you with others.
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
1 Cor 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1 Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Cor 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Time is valuable, redeem it with service to our Lord, do not waste time pursuing things that perish.
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Col 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Choose wisely and do not be trapped in darkness. The light has come, learn from Jesus and walk wisely and in purity in a world of darkness.
Phil 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
The will of God
Receive His Son
John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Be Loving
Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Your Sanctification
1 Th 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Give Thanks
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Be A Good Servant
1 Pet 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1 Pet 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
In Suffering
1 Pet 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Love not the world
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
We walk in the light of God's truth as revealed in the Holy Bible and by the Holy Spirit. The Bible gives us the will of God and the Holy Spirit leads us in our callings, so that we are the light of God in a sin darkened world. Keep your light on, even in afflictions, for you may be the light to bring many to salvation in Christ Jesus.
Spirit Filled
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Everything in moderation. If you must drink wine, do not drink to excess. Some people drink wine and alcohol to forget their problems, perhaps to get a momentary lift. Those who drink too much are taken over by evil spirits that torment the family. The meek and gentle husband, may become abusive.
What is it to be filled with the Spirit. First we must be bornagain of God, by His Spirit. Then when we are to be filled, some call it the baptism of the Holy Spirit because Jesus came with the Holy Spirit and this is his baptism.
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Salvation begins with faith in Jesus, followed by salvation and the filling of the Holy Spirit. If the Spirit is within He will show himself in the believer with gifts of the Spirit. Some insist on the gift of tongues. There are other gifts for the edifying of the church; teaching is one of the gifts and prophesy. See 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 for a list of the Spiritual gifts. Let me make this clear; the filling of the Spirit is the presence and power of God at work in us to glorify him. It is not of the flesh or of personality, or of intellect or anything of human thought or reasoning, it is from God. We may submit to him with our flesh, soul and body to be used for his glory by the filling of His Holy Spirit.
The flesh is in opposition to the Spirit. Paul describes this fight between the flesh will and the will of God in Romans 7.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Paul gives the answer to his dilemma in Romans 8. We are to be filled with the Spirit.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We are to submit our human will and mind to the Spirit of God.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Unfortunately there are those who sometimes quote the Bible, who do it out of the flesh mind and not out of God's Spirit; they may not have His Spirit, so they are not really of the body of Christ.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
So how can we go from the flesh mind with it's worries and concerns into the filling of the Spirit? One way to encourage yourself is through Spiritual songs, hymns and psalms. Make joy in your heart, a fruit of the Spirit. Instead of looking at what is evil, thank God for His goodness to you. In everything give thanks.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
We give thanks to our God and Father for Jesus and we pray in Jesus name. Give me the Spirit of God and the redeemed life in Christ, I need not the wine of the world to bring me joy. We have joy in serving Jesus. Let us be a thankful people, a positive and joyful people full of the Spirit of God.
.Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Cor 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Be filled with the Spirit and be filled with the power of God. Don't go out without Him.
Husband and Wife
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
We are to serve one another as Christ gave us the example.
John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Please notice the pattern here; the wife is to be to her own husband as the church is to the Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to his authority, for he loves and cares for you and he is responsible to meet your needs. Submitting to your own husband, not to all men.This is the pattern of the Church in relation to it's head. Do you see how important it is to marry another Christian so that you can understand together and are both submissive to the truth of Christ? It is not going to work so well if you marry an unbeliever who dwells in darkness.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
This is a total commitment; when a husband marries his wife, he will die for her if necessary, to protect her. This too is only possible if both understand how Christ died for the church, as too his beloved bride that he wanted to save. He shed his blood to sanctify and cleanse it by the washing water of the word. Husband and wife both benefit by learning the sacrificial love of the Lord Jesus Christ who first washes away our sins with his blood and then with the daily water of the word of God.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
A marriage sanctifies the relationship in God's eyes. People living together apart from marriage, is nothing but fornication in the eyes of God. I think satan makes it seem as okay, but wait until they marry, then satan brings all hell against them, guilt, shame and accusations. Remember God considers marriage as a sacred bond before himself.
As Jesus willingly gave his life for the church and has sanctified it by his word. Also by abiding in him we are one, as husband and wife become one abiding together, producing fruit.
1 Cor 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Husbands, Love your wife as your own flesh, as you are now become one.
Mat 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is God's pattern for husband and wife from the beginning. Unfortunately in the church are many divorces, there is not a commitment to one another. As the world, the church has become, switching partners as easy as trading in one car for a newer model. Where is the commitment to the Lord? If you can't be commited to one another in the natural, how shall you be commited in the spiritual to God?
1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Wive's, are not to nag or control a husband who may have faults. A husband needs respect from his wife. If you are disrespectful, it is as unto God. To reverence is to fear or respect another as the church loves and respects Christ Jesus. Wive's should see their husbands, especially Christian husbands as a high gift from God, just as Jesus is the head and a gift from God for us. Husbands are to love and cherish their wives. A wise husband will share all things including decision making, with the wife. The LORD made the wife as a helpmeet, not as a competitor. If one is more gifted at something, then share the gift for the building of the marriage and the family. Husbands generally do not share feelings as openly as the wife. This does not mean that he does not care. He cares by providing for the wife and helping to keep her secure. Jesus is the center of the marriage, so let the Holy Spirit guide you in all things. Love, honor, respect; keep these virtues in your marriage.
Prov 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Ephesians Links
Next Page
Previous Page
Table of Contents