THE HUSBAND OF GOD'S DESIGN - Pt.II

THE HUSBAND OF GOD’S DESIGN – Pt.II

EDITOR’S NOTE:  This devotional series is repeated due to numerous requests.

A Christian gentleman from South Africa submitted this question to me. “WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MAN IN A WOMAN'S LIFE?” First of all, it is imperative to recognize that THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY is the basic building block in THE KINGDOM OF GOD.  Of course, MARRIAGE is the basic building block of THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY.  To recap yesterday’s devotional, we briefly explored the following Kingdom principles:

Kingdom Principle Number One: 
FIRST AND FOREMOST, BE CENTERED IN CHRIST.

Kingdom Principle Number Two: 
LET LOVE BE YOUR OPERATING PRINCIPLE.

Kingdom Principle Number Three: 
BE WISE, BE FOCUSED, BE STRATEGIC, AND BE GOAL-ORIENTED.

On DAY TWO, we move forward with four additional Kingdom principles.

Kingdom Principle Number Four: 
BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

In order to maximize our capacity to be THE HUSBAND OF GOD’S DESIGN, we must proactively maintain a positive relationship with Christ In order to do so, it is imperative that we be “filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)  This intimate indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which Christ calls “the spirit of truth,” edifies believers through daily direction and comfort, while empowering believers for Kingdom service. (John 14:16-17 and Acts 1:8)  The Apostle Paul stated that the Holy Spirit fills us “with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (Colossians 1:9)  In a word, HE imparts SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT i.e. heightened awareness and sensitivity regarding ourselves, others, and the Mind of God, all of which are indispensable to our intended role as effective husbands and family priests.

Kingdom Principle Number Five: 
SATURATE YOUR PALACE WITH PRAYER AND PRAISE.

It has often been said that “the home is a man’s castle.”  Obviously, this old saying implies a rather ‘kingly approach’ to family matters.  While Christ indeed confirms that believers are “kings and priests,” whenever we approach our role as husbands with KINGLY ATTITUDES AND AUTHORITY, we miss out on opportunities to serve and edify our spouses in a Christ-like manner. (Revelation 1:6)  Since wives are not our pawns or our property, instead of using a ‘castle metaphor’ to describe the home, we should think of the home as a PALACE in which ALL PARTIES ARE RIGHTFUL BENEFICIARIES OF ROYAL TREATMENT.  Whenever I am personally tempted to assume ‘kingly authority,’ I have discovered that the immediate pursuit of PRAYER AND PRAISE totally changes the atmosphere…by TOTALLY CHANGING MY OWN PERSPECTIVE.  In our own home, we have a room that is devoted solely to family prayer.  It is necessary that husbands and wives pray together consistently, and that they also spend quality prayer time with their children.  Additionally, WORD STUDY is an integral component of the covenant partners’ ongoing connection with Christ.  These key spiritual fundamentals result in a total saturation of the ‘palace’ with the presence and power of Christ.

Kingdom Principle Number Six: 
AS A MAN, NEVER FEAR MUTUAL SUBMISSION.

Many Christian men are quick to recite Ephesians 5:22, which requires wives to submit to their husbands.  However, it is of vital importance to read and incorporate the important truth in the verse that immediately precedes it (Ephesians 5:21), which says “submitting yourselves ONE TO ANOTHER in the fear of God.”  This scripture verse clearly mandates MUTUAL SUBMISSION.  If we men MUST consider ourselves as KINGS, then our spouses ought to be honored as QUEENS.  And since husbands are scripturally designated as family priests, we must conscientiously resist the impulse to become “lords over God’s heritage.” (I Peter 5:3)  The process of MUTUAL SUBMISSION involves what I call THE MINISTRY OF LISTENING.  God gave us two ears and only one mouth.  The implication is that we should LISTEN…at least twice as much as we speak.  As we exercise SELF-DISCIPLINE, which is one fruit of the Spirit, we learn to HEAR THE HEARTS of our spouses. (Galatians 5:23)  And now comes a challenge for many men: We must actively participate in the maintenance of our houses.  One of the greatest lessons I have learned as a husband is honored privilege of MUTUAL SERVICE.  In a word, I have learned to love SERVING MY WIFE.  A host of benefits are accrued from willing and cheerful service.  One of the more obvious is the JOY that this brings to the wife, which increases the JOY that the wife displays while attending to any and all of her husband’s needs.  Mutual submission might be culturally abhorrent to some, but it is indeed the tone and tenor of the gospel.  Remember this: Mutual submission is much easier when both partners submit (first) to JESUS CHRIST. After all, HE is a key partner in the marriage covenant; so don’t forget to consciously include HIM.

Kingdom Principle Number Seven: 
LOVE YOUR WIFE AS CHRIST LOVES HIS CHURCH.

This is a challenging requirement since at first glance it seems virtually impossible to emulate either the quality or quantity of divine love.  Think about it.  God-in-Christ possessed sufficient love to reconcile the entire world to Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19)  This constituted an act of ABSOLUTE SACRIFICE – a free and full offering of His life for the benefit of our salvation.  Since the Word commands husbands to love wives in a similar manner, what should our practical response be?  Just like Christ, husbands must proactively “SANCTIFY” the marital covenant (and its participants) via THE WORD. (John 17:17)  Put simply, if we want a success marriage, we must STAY IN THE WORD!  Also, we must love our wives as much as we cherish our own lives and bodies. (Ephesians 5:25-29)  In practical terms, this means that the husband serves as THE COVERING, DEFENDER and PROTECTOR of his wife.  This means, first and foremost, that the husband is PROVIDER-IN-CHIEF.  We must be ready, able and willing to provide for THE TOTAL NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES: supplying spirituality and security, along with emotional and financial stability.  This requires our utmost effort, i.e. our determination, diligence, patience and persistence.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!