God's Wisdom In A Nutshell

Hello!

I hadn’t  intended to take a week break from the blog, but after 66 weeks of consistent blogging, I guess I needed it! Anyway, on to today’s post.

Last week I explained how the Lord details the relevant characteristics of a “worthy woman” as found in Proverbs Chapter 31. Well, the Lord has something to say about men as well.  In Ephesians Chapter 5, there is a description of how a man should love his wife.  I will write the verses in bold and explain them in italics.

Ephesians 5:25-30

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Jesus loved his church (followers of His teachings) and He carefully and lovingly guided them to wisdom through the way He behaved, taught and prayed.  Husbands are to love their wives by being godly men,  by exemplifying strength through gentleness and  behaving in a way that reveals his true allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. As Jesus gave up his life for His church, a man is instructed to give up his selfish desires for those that benefit his wife/family. 

26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Husbands should know their Bible and use Scripture to run their household. A husband can bless his wife by praying Scripture over her and reminding her of who she is in Christ -an overcomer, a child of God, redeemed, blessed, powerful, full of strength, well able – etc.

27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. A husband who follows the Lord’s teachings will have a very happy and content wife indeed! This will show in her countenance and satisfaction with their family life. If the husband honors the Lord first; his wife and family second and career third, he will have given his wife no reason to act in a way unbecoming to him.

28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. A mentally sane person would not want to harm his own body. So the Lord teaches husbands to treat his wife as he would like to be treated. 

29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church. This states that husbands should nourish their wives through word and deed and cherish them as Christ cherished His people (the church). This is an act of obedience to the Lord and obedience always brings blessings.

30 because we are members of His body. Because of the fact that we are all “One,” we will reap what we sow.  If we do harm, we will eventually feel it.  If we show love and kindness- that too, will come back to us.  Once we realize this we can live as the Lord instructs and be assured that we will harvest the good things that we plant!

The Bible is full of practical wisdom. God created male and female to be married, have children and populate the earth. He directs us to be submissive to each other- thinking of the other as more important than ourselves. Being kind, loving and forgiving of faults will give us the peace of Christ who will then be kind, loving and forgiving of our faults.  God gave us much more power over our happiness than we really understand! Are you unhappy? Check how you are treating your husband, wife and other family members.  You will feel that which you put out in the world, so let’s all encourage each other to be kind and loving Christians. The end result of  strong families, is a strong society. Yes, the long term effects of the behavior we model at home, does indeed affect society!

Bottom line…Choose your partner well!

First and foremost, choose a husband or wife that consistently reads the Bible and follows the Lord’s teachings. The Bible is a profound book that guides it’s readers to the best in life, free of the consequences of living selfishly.  It’s all there – won’t you join me in studying the greatest book of all time?

Have a wonderful week!

Lisa