As the family life is instituted by God, it will be a blessing only if we live according to the words of God. Even though God has called us to inherit the blessings (1 Pet 3:9) in all areas of our life, we are inclined to speak negatively about ourselves. In fact Satan inspires these negative thoughts in us. We must not utter his words instead we should say what our Creator (God) said about us. It should be revealed to us only when Jesus Christ is revealed more in our life. For this we should have a personal relationship with Jesus. (For further reading please click here for reading how can you be changed). When we are in Jesus, we are precious, new creation and we shall be above only and shall not beneath. Also you should understand there is nobody else like you in this world. Just confess it in faith, nobody else is like me.
In New Testament, epistles to Ephesians are very important. In Old Testament, Israelites entered and occupied the Promised Land (land promised by God) under the leadership of Joshua in the absence of Moses, which is in Joshua’s book. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, church, the body of Christ is waiting to enter the eternal life. In the New Testament our promised land is eternal life. In Ephesians we can read that how the church, the body of Christ, bride of Christ should be. The church is the group of people who believed in Jesus Christ. In other words it is the group of people, who accepted Jesus as their Lord, Savior and Master. Individually everyone in the church is a part of the body of Christ. In Ephesians it is written that we are chosen in Him and God has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in Christ and we were seated with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
After a detailed description of the church Paul is explaining about the family life. Paul the apostle wrote about the family life, instituted by God, according to the revelation given to him by God. Wives, submit to your own husband as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands , love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined his wife and the two shall became one flesh. This is the great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:22-32, Eph:5:22 says that Wives, submit to your own husband as to the Lord. First advice goes to wife. A girl child is trained for the family life right from the childhood. But men are not like that. Therefore it is the duty of wife to care them as they do not have any experience (Females are trained from the childhood). It is written that wife should submit to her own husband as to the Lord. Jesus is not a God among all gods. He is the only God. A member of the church will believe only Jesus Christ. Similarly a wife should submit to her husband not as in a book or in a cinema, but as to the Lord. Let us see what is written by Apostle Peter about submission. 1 Pet 3:1-5. Wives likewise be submissive to your own husband, then even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives. When they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely out ward, arranging hair, wearing gold or putting on fine apparel. Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands.
What is the basis of submission? How a wife should submit to her husband? We can read about submission in the second chapter. 1 Pet 2:18 says about submission like this. Be submissive not only to the good and gentle and also to the harsh. Even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct their wives. That is a wife is called to be a good witness of Jesus Christ in her house and by her good conduct her husband will come to Jesus. Even though he is not gentle to the wife she should be submissive to him, love him and care him. God wants husband and wife should always be happy in their family life. God does not do anything which took away the happiness of a family life. At any cost wife should not skip from her responsibility to her husband, for any reason even for prayer or reading bible etc. Some wives are divorcing or leave her husband because he is not a believer or he is not coming Jesus. Then Satan is taking the advantage in your life. We should not give a chance to Satan to make advantage in our life. God wants husband and wife should live together. For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the savior of the body. Eph. 5:23. When the order of the word of God changes then the work of the God will also stop there. Jesus gave His own life and submitted to the church as the head of the church. So husband should always be the head of the family and give to the family, wife should be submissive to husband. This order should not change at any cost.
To be submissive to husband never means that wife is a slave to the husband. If nobody else appreciates the wife then husband should appreciate and love her. When Jesus was on the cross, people asked Him to come down from the cross if you are the Son of God. Do you know why He did like this? Being God it is very easy for Him to come from the cross. Don’t think that it was a weakness. He did it for the church. Husband should not love his wife based on the opinion about others, mother in laws etc. but as if Jesus loved the church. Jesus loved us with all our weakness or failings. In the same way husband should love his wife with all her weakness. As Christ is the head of the church husband is the head of the family. Whenever this order is changed then the family life will spoil. Wife may be efficient, may be more educated, may get more salary, or may more famous than husband but in the family life the order instituted by God should not be changed. Husband is the head of the family in all cases. Eve did the mistake not only because she ate the fruit but also because she gave the fruit to Adam. If she asked Adam and act according to his will, they would not have come out from the Eden. Whenever a wife started to rule the house the failure of that family begins. Husband is the head even though he is less efficient. Don’t change that order. God’s blessings will come wherever the wife is submissive to her husband. The relationship between husband and wife is the same as that of Christ and the church. We obey our Lord not because of law but because of love. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is based on love. When we are not obeying a law we will be punished. So to avoid punishment we are keen to obey the rules. But our mentalities towards our Lord when obeying Him is not like this. It should be based on love. Marriage is also like this. The relationship between church and Christ is a mystery. Only those who understand this mystery can enjoy the mystery of family life. That mystery will be revealed by God to those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ. We should obey the word of God. Eph:5:24,25 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.
It was told to the husband to love his wife and to the wife to be submissive to her own husband. God asked them to do these after giving the ability to do these two inside of them. God has poured these abilities inside us. Husband should love his wife just us Christ loved the church. Jesus came to save the people. But they forsake Him and crucified Him. Even then He loved them with patience and sympathy. Likewise husband should love his wife. Those who believe in Jesus Christ should have the mind of Jesus Christ. The foundation of the husband wife relationship is love, love of Christ.
Even though we are not worthy of His love, Jesus loved us. In the same manner husband should love his wife. Devil will try to destroy this love. Devil is interested to destroy a family than a person because when the saved man and his wife stand together in one mind, devil cannot do anything. Only when they stand together they will be victorious. Devil is described as deceiver in Revelation 12:9, and accuser in 12:10, as stealer, killer and destroyer in John 10:10 and thief in John 8:44. Devil always tries to sow bitterness between husband and wife. In most cases bitterness comes from doubtfulness and that comes from the feeling of the self pity. Satan brings this negative feeling in your mind and it is his snare. Don’t be caught in that snare. There is no weapon in devils hand instead only tricks. By giving negative thoughts like this in us Satan is trying to destroy our family life. Husband should confess like this, my wife (give her name) is the gift of God. She is my loved one. I will love her with all her weakness. Wife should confess like this, my husband (give his name) is the gift of God. He is my loved one. I will love him and I will pray for him even if he is harsh to me. Eph: 5:28-32 So husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies; he who loves his life loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined his wife and the two shall became one flesh. This is the great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
I invite your attention to Eden again. Genesis 1:26-27 says Then God said, let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air over the live stock , over all the earth , and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. God formed man from the dust in His own image. Adam was a complete man. That means male and female were in Adam like snail. As you know snail is a bisexual species which means that both male and female are in one. Similarly Adam was a complete man which means that both male and female were in Adam. God brought all His creatures before Adam. The man gave name to all the creatures. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. After every days creation God said it was good. But after creating man God said, It is not good for the man to be alone I will make a helper suitable for him. So the Lord caused the man to fall in to a deep sleep (first anesthesia) and while he was sleeping he took one of the man’s ribs and made a woman from that rib. God didn’t form another man from the dust. And God brought her to the man.
The man said this is born of my bones and flesh of my flesh. Adam and Eve became two. But the future of Adam was in Eve because the womb is with her. Man with womb is woman. Wife is the part of husband’s body. She is not another body. That is why word of God says husband should love his wife as his own body. Husband and wife are joined in the marriage not by an accident or a mistake but God joined them. Eph 5:29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it just as the Lord does the church. So husband should nourish and cherish his wife just as the Lord does the church. Not only nourish but also cherish. For nourishing there is no need of love. But to cherish we should love. For a wife a good house or a good car or other amenities are not enough. She wants love more than all these. For a woman a relation is important. But for a man his profession is important because he was designed like that, to rule and establish. A failure in business or in profession affects man than woman. Hence profession important for a man and relation is important for a woman. When husband comes to the home in the evening wife should talk about the happenings of the day. Try to speak more about him and his profession, not about a cinema or other people. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined his wife and the two shall became one flesh. When man comes to home he should leave everything related to the day and be joined with his wife. He should not bring the office or business to home. He should leave the worries and problems of the day at office itself, don’t bring it to home.
When Adam was a complete man God has given authority to rule over everything. Before the foundation of the world, the wife is a part of man. But before the marriage man and his wife are two. At the time of God, they were joined together in the marriage. Before the marriage they were two and hence they were not complete. So there is a limitation for the prosperity in life, for the ministry and power. When God joined man and his wife together in marriage, the part of his body (rib) which is outside of him is joined with him. When Adam was created he was both man and woman and hence a complete man. In the marriage the man and woman are joined together and hence complete man, Adam, God’s own image, who has the authority to rule over everything. When man and woman became one in the marriage they got all the powers of Adam which were given by God. When they stand together in one mind nothing can hurt them. Then they can operate on the authority of God. When they (in oneness) command to the mountain of the financial problem (debt), it will be destroyed. They can manifest the power of the God in the earth. Those who saved are seated at the right side of Jesus Christ. Thus the husband and wife who are sitting at the right side of Jesus Christ when joined together in oneness, they are getting the full power with fullness given to Adam.
When husband and wife stand in one, they are most powerful. That is why Satan wanted to create problem among them by giving negative thoughts or egos. For example suppose husband has not smiled at his wife in the morning. Then the wife decided not to give tea until he asks. In other words with silly matter like this Satan always try to make problem among them because he does not want to make them one. (Just imagine the situation in your own life!). Christ is the head of the church and church is the body of Christ. Without head there is no body and without body there is no head. Like wise husband and wife are not two but one. Sex is a blessing given by God to make man and his wife one. The crescendo you are getting when you make sex with your wife will not get from any other things. It is not like drinking water when you are thirsty and taking food when you are hungry. It is the plan of God to make the two to one. Some people believe that sex is not good or some other people believe that it is a sin and some believers believe that it is against holiness. That is a trick of Satan. He does not want to make husband and wife one. When you make sex with your covenant wife you are renewing the covenant (marriage). Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her and likewise also the wife to her husband wife does not have authority over her own body but husband does and likewise husband does not have authority over his own body but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except consent for time that you may give yourself to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because you are lack of self control. 1Corr.7:3-5. For example if husband decided to deprive one another to fast and pray for 10 days but wife consented only for 5 days. Then only 5 days of fasting will be accepted by God. Similarly if husband wants sex on a day wife should permit as wife does not have authority over her own body but husband does and likewise husband does not have authority over his own body but the wife does.
Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Nor give place to devil. Eph. 5:26-27.You may become angry, but before sunset you should settle the problem. Whatever may be the problem before that night you should settle it. Don’t allow the problem to go beyond that. Otherwise Satan will take advantage. Husbands, dwell with them with understanding giving, honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1Pet 3:7.If there is a problem between husband and wife then you should talk and settle it. Always try to spend time with each other and share all the experiences of the day together. It will make your relationship deeper. Always try to talk each other. Both of them should be proud of each other. Husband should say that I am proud of my wife and so also the wife. When you are facing any adversities in your life, both of you should stand together. Don’t blame each other. Try to strengthen each other. Join your hands and pray together in one mind. Nothing can stand before you. All prayers will be answered.
Prayer is important but too much prayer by skipping the responsibilities is not advisable. It does not mean that you should reduce the prayer life. You should not escape from your responsibilities for the sake of prayer. Love God and love each other. Often touch each other and say I am proud of you, I love you. One touch with love is more than saying I love you. Spend time with each other. Express your love. Say words of love. Settle all problems before sun set. When you stand together in oneness God will give you authority over everything. Bless each other every day. A good family life is the foundation of any blessings whether it is ministry, financial, business or any other.
Today surrender wife to husband and husband to wife. Wife is a part of husband’s body. Bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Both of them are one. If there is any doubt among you, leave it today. Leave all wounds and bitterness among you purposefully. Satan always tries to remind you all the old things and wounds. Don’t eat that snare. God joined you two together. So you are one. Wife submits your own husband. Husband love your wife. Today onwards try keep love in your family life by any sacrifice. For that submit each other. Bless each other. Then pray like this. Father we come to you through Jesus Christ. Please help us to leave all our bitterness and doubtfulness. Fill us with love. Help us to live a happy family life.Please remember foundation of any blessing in your life is a good family life.
If you are blessed by these articles please send your feedback and comments to us info@theheavenlyfeast.org .
Written by heavenonearthSeptember 17, 2015