I was reading Chapter 5 yesterday where he starts the chapter about walking in love in faith.
Gives us examples of walking properly in Christ and what to avoid as Christians so we may keep or guard ourselves from entering into activities that make us stray from the will of God.
Then I got to verses 22-33
This part is titled Marriage - Christ & the Church. It takes great strength for me to read passages that deal w/ marriage. Really. It's a bit of a thorn in my side, much like Paul describes his thorn (which I believe to be his past as a murderer of Jews). It's a subject that no matter how much you love Christ, no matter how much you've changed, are doing things differently, believe differently, and pray that people just can't seem to leave you alone about it.
That's a thorn.
You know it's there but it only pricks you when you're forced to touch it.
I read through it once - gathered a thought.
Read through a 2nd time - gathered a new thought.
THANK YOU LORD for Your awesome knowledge. I was excited.
For the 1st time in a long time, I read a scripture dealing w/ marriage and didn't feel ashamed or sad or like I should be ashamed that I'm not married and failed miserably to live up to these standards while I was married. **sorry. it's true. I told you--> it's my thorn**
Let me show you what I'm talking about..
Ephesians 5:22-33 (NKJV)
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 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. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones.
31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e]
32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Upon 1st reading I see: ok.. husbands, love Christ. He's the head of the household. Wives, love Christ, submit to husbands - because a Godly husband will grow in the Lord with you.
Husbands, act respectable towards your wife, so she may act respectable towards you.
We are members of Christ's body - once we take it on - act like it. Whether individual or coupled. Doesn't matter.
Seems pretty simple right?! Yes. Too simple. I took another look.
In verse 29 - 32 in particular.29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.Love yourself. Love the creation that is anew in Christ. You can't love others as the Lord does w/out loving yourself. Grow your love for Christ and yourself in Him. *this is an instruction more so than just a statement of how Christ loves the church* 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones.
This means-> He knew me when He hung for me. HE died and was raised up because of ME! We were part of HIM when He completed the mission and shed His blood.
31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[
This is scripture (Old Testament) found in Genesis 2:24.
What I say this 2nd time around was that not only was this scripture about marriage but THIS is Jesus.
ok.. bear with me.. I know it's deep and I may not have all my ducks in a row scripture wise to back it all up but I dug really deep on this one and I can't keep it inside.
man = Jesus, left the Father (Spirit), into the mother (flesh), then left her - into the world as ONE {Spirit + flesh} to strike out and be the One: the King of kings, Lord of lords:::> the HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD. (household being the world) **WOW!!**
Basically proclaiming the actual power and might of God the Creator joining the Word(as Spirit) into flesh (as Jesus) and creating a MARRIAGE that is the holiest of all.
Jesus was married!!!!! Jesus was married to the work on earth, His disciples, His followers, and EVERYONE that comes to Him. **HE IS MARRIED TO US**
That was, is, and forever more will be His commitment. EVERLASTING.
*boom* seriously--did your mind just explode like mine did?!
32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Paul is saying -- look deeper people. This isn't just for an instruction for married people.
It's an understanding for the commitment of Christ.
For this - analogy IS the great mystery. (YES, speaking of Christ & the church.)
**personal note** I felt like exploding. WOW!!! I felt overwhelmingly thankful to be blessed w/ this revealing power in the scripture. I still don't know that I'm 100% accurate on whether this is the way it was meant to be written, but honestly - I felt blessed.
33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.This part made me laugh. I could almost relate to Paul.. like he's saying.. "ok, if you don't get my drift, here's the last bit of info you can take with you so you kinda understand."
"nevertheless" - - meaning, ok.. take this instead.
let each one of you - in particular - (meaning, those this applies to)
love your wife as yourself, let the wife see & respect.
** this also being a reference to Jesus. He being the husband and we should SEE His love and respect the husband, His teachings, and His examples.**
Can I get an AMEN?!!!
I know that it was God that brought this to my attention. Yes, marriage is to be Holy and everlasting commitment and if the husband submit to Christ, the wife submit to husband (and also to Christ) and their relationship will be blessed and etc etc etc..
**this is not the focus I found in this scripture. I was allowed to see it in a whole new way. I was not upset or found myself feeling the same way I used to when coming upon these things. I actually felt excitement! a sense of adventure! and almost a sense of achievement for seeing past the 'thorn' and getting to a real root. THANK YOU GOD!!! **
I pray, Lord, let my mind continue to be open to Your Word so that I may have better understanding and protection against the evil of this world. I pray, Lord, that my actions be pleasing to You and that You reveal to me the people, places, and ways to do Your will according to the plan. _Amen.
Peace be with you all <3