Not Without the Lord You Don’t.
Ephesians 5.18-33
The apostle Paul had the ability to look back on his life journey. (We all reminisce, don't we)? I’m sure He remembered, his training, his year of study, the discipline, his attitude toward law breakers, but now Paul is aware of his lack, and his need for spirit leadership.
I wanted to start off by reminding you what Paul states in, 2 Corinthians 3:6NIV He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
With that noted, we begin in, Ephesians 5.18AMP Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.
If anyone was constantly lead by the letter, the Law, the Torah, it was Saul of Tarsus, latter (Paul). -He was proud and prideful of his accomplishments.
However, now Paul is lead by the Holy Spirit! What a contrast.
The law had limitations- The Spirit has no boundaries.
The Law was set in stone- The Spirit goes into the core/the inner-man of a person.
The Law teaches an eye for an eye- The Spirit leans into forgiveness.
The Law condemns, but cannot save- The Spirit convicts and saves.
Again, Paul states in Ephesians be constantly guided by Him.
These verses, in fact the entire Bible is about being constantly lead by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5.19 Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [offering praise by] singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
The believer is taught how to address others. Speak to each other in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
In other words, address others as you address every song of praise unto God.
Ephesians 5.20-21 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Vs.20 Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...
Ephesians 5:21TPT And out of your reverence for Christ be supportive of each other in love.
I hope you see the big picture! If ‘one’ isn’t fully committed and submitted to the Lord, all other relationships will suffer, be in need, in want, Starvation mode.
Therefore I’m convinced these marriage and relationship scriptures will work every time when applied to your life as well as others. P.H
Ephesians 5.22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord.
As you serve the Lord, serve your spouse. Submission without motives.
Verse 22b... as a service to the Lord.
Ephesians 5.23 For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body.
Some men think and possibly say, “I’m the head of this house!”
If you know and practice the fact that Jesus Christ is head of the Church, And He’s the savior of the body it will keeps things in perspective. P.H
Listen, if you want to save yourself, and your wife and family, then you have to be the husband of such. P.H
Jack Benny was rather shy when he was young. One day at work he saw a young lady that greatly attracted his attention. But he was too shy to speak to her. So he went to the florist and ordered one red rose to be sent to her without any card enclosed. And every day he repeated that order. Well, after 4 days of receiving one red rose each day, the young lady went to the florist and asked who was sending them. The florist told her that it was some guy who worked where she did by the name of Jack Benny. “Yeah,” she said, “I think I know who he is.”
So she searched Jack out and asked him why he was sending her those roses. He told her that he wanted to ask her out, and she accepted his invitation. And other dates followed that first one. But still, every day, she continued to receive one red rose. Then Jack and Mary got engaged, Mary figured that the red roses would stop. But still they came. Finally, they were married, and even on the honeymoon she continued to receive one red rose each day. But once the honeymoon was over, she figured that the roses would stop. However month after month, then year after year, all their married life, every day without fail she received a red rose. Finally, Jack Benny died. But the very next day, here came another red rose. Thinking that maybe the florist somehow hadn’t heard, she called to tell him of Jack’s death and that he could now stop sending the roses. He answered, “But you don’t understand. Before he died, Jack made all the arrangements. -You’ll receive one red rose every day for the rest of your life.”
Ephesians 5.24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives should be subject to their husbands in everything [respecting both their position as protector and their responsibility to God as head of the house].
If you agree that this church, (your church), is subject to Jesus Christ, then you are to be subject to each other. (Agreement is a must in a healthy spiritual church).
Wives be subject to your husbands in everything...
This is where you begin, wives be subject to your husband in respecting both their position as protector.
Respect their position as, protector.
Respect their responsibility to God as head of the house.
Therefore, wives, you need to give your husband full lead to be head of the home.
Ephesians 5.25-26 Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God],
Question: Husbands what kind of thoughts do you have about your spouse?
Do you have caring unselfish love? Paul gives the reader the ultimate example.
-Just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, Vs. 25.
Ephesians 5.26TPT to make us holy and pure, cleansing us through the showering of the pure water of the Word of God.
I believe God’s word teaches favor and blessings come from togetherness, unity. A lifetime submission unto the Lord will develop spiritual formation, the two becoming one will be coming to talk of the town. P.H
Husbands, if you act in this spiritual capacity, and wives vice versa, husbands and wives become showered upon, through God’s word.
Psalm 133 teaches that where there is spiritual formation and togetherness (unity in the marriage), there, the Lord commands the blessing, Life forever!
Ephesians 5.27 so that [in turn] He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy [set apart for God] and blameless.
As married believers, when husbands and wives learn what Jesus taught in, Acts 20.35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
Remember the words of Jesus in, Luke 6.38AMP Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”
How do you want to be measured back?
Ephesians 5.28 Even so husbands should and are morally obligated to love their own wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
Never forget husbands (Priest), Your wife came out from your side. Treat her well.
Ephesians 5.29-30 For no one ever hated his own body, but [instead] he nourishes and protects and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members (parts) of His body.
Possibly, someone not knowing their value, their worth. Possibly, someone indulging in the flesh would become selfish. Possibly, addiction? It produces, seclusion and selfishness. P.H
This is why believers should manage their relationships at the highest level. -Verse 30, because we are members of His body!
Ephesians 5.31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined [and be faithfully devoted] to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
Again, the two becoming one flesh. If she hurts, you hurt. If you need affirmation she’s there for you.
Ephesians 5.32 This mystery [of two becoming one] is great; but I am speaking with reference to [the relationship of] Christ and the church.
This I know, and God’s word backs it up. An anointed church comes from an anointing loving caring people! An anointed church comes through healthy relationships.
Ephesians 5.33 However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].
So what does a healthy marriage look like?
Mutual giving.
A passionate heart for your other half.
A Prayer force.
A happy joyful marriage.
Healthy communication.
Friendship, growing old together.
Benediction.
