Jesus said; If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.[John 13:17]. Our Lord, Jesus had just washed his disciples feet. Using himself as example he challenged them to do likewise, washing one another’s feet, serving one another. By that, no task should be considered too menial to serve our brother or sister. No service should be considered too degrading to render to our spouse. In a nutshell, the following are thoughts on having no substitutes or second best for our lives, marriage and home. Substitutes are counterfeits which contradict the counsel of God. Mankind shall not lie with any beast. Man shall not lie with another man. Woman shall not lie with a woman like her. These are acts of violation, contradiction and disobedience to God. Married Christians should all cherish the holy marriage institution as given to us by God.
There is no substitute for Obedience. Follow God’s example, therefore as dearly beloved children; Ephesians 5:1; When we fulfill our duties, we are being truly obedient to God. Upholding our marital vows and honouring our spouse therefore are acts of obedience to God. We are either following God fully or not at all. No half measures.
No substitute for Mutual Submission. Submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:21. As the husband expects his wife to submit to him, so should he submit to her. That is mutual respect. Doing otherwise is counterfeit.
No substitute for Loving Each Other. Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2; Keep yourself in the love of God- Jude 21. 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13. Doing otherwise is sub standard.
No substitute for Physical Intimacy. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourself to prayer AND FASTING. 1Corinthians 7:3-5[KJV is still the best, though some good work has been done with many other translations, e.g NIV]. How much is the body of believers compliant or failing today?
No substitute for Seniority at Home. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 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. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham calling him lord. 1 Peter 3:6. May God have mercy on the church of this Century.
There is no substitute for Selfless Loving and Giving. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church. Verses 25-29.
No substitute for Unity. ONE BODY[2 become 1]; There should be no break down, division, or disharmony. Just as the human body cannot afford to pull in different directions; so the husband and his wife being one, should stay united and strong, during tough times as well as easy times. Each person is unique, honourable and important. 1 Corinthians 12: 24&25.
No Substitute for Prayers. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17; And are we praying enough?
No substitute for the Word of God. It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 16&17. Does the word of God have first place among us and in our homes?
No substitute for the Guidance of the Holy Spirit. Building up yourself on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Walk in the Spirit; talk, sing, pray both in the spirit and also with understanding!
The words of God are not man-made stories designed to deceive. No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:20-21. That is the reason why we should uphold the truth passed on to us in our generation and faithfully pass the same message on. The complications and challenging counterfeits of the present age should not be allowed to hinder us or confuse us! We should contend earnestly for same faith which was once delivered to the saints of the 1 st Century as Jude wrote in his epistle.
Grace be with you all.
AgapeFocus 