THE HUSBAND OF GOD'S DESIGN - Pt.III

THE HUSBAND OF GOD’S DESIGN – Pt.III

A Christian brother from South Africa submitted this question to me. “WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MAN IN A WOMAN'S LIFE?”  It is imperative that we recognize that THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY is the BASIC BUILDING BLOCK of THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and THE MARRIAGE is the basic building block in THE FAMILY.  As such, we must carefully attend to the overall health and happiness of our MARRIAGES and our FAMILIES.  To briefly recap, on DAY ONE and DAY TWO of this devotional series, we explored the following:

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.

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

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

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

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

Today, we culminate this devotional series with three powerful Kingdom principles:

Kingdom Principle Number Eight: 
CHERISH YOUR WIFE AND NURTURE AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP.

Christ’s requirement that husbands “love their wives as their own bodies” is spiritually consummated and visibly manifested whenever we NOURISH and CHERISH of our wives in the same way that JESUS loves and nurtures His own bride, THE CHURCH.  Let there be no doubt: LOVE IS A VERB.  True love is far more than emotion; it is action.  LOVE IS A SPIRIT…because GOD IS LOVE. (I John 4:8)  As such, HE motivates and mobilizes us to become PROACTIVE PARTNERS in the covenantal grace of marriage.

The question is begged: ‘On a practical level, HOW do we cherish and nurture our wives?’  In other words, WHAT DOES THAT KIND OF LOVE LOOK LIKE (on a daily basis) and how is it MADE REAL in our relationships?  The answer is quite simple.  Christ’s foundational principle (commonly called THE GOLDEN RULE) must be fully operational within the marriage covenant.  “As ye would that [your spouse] should do to you, do ye also to [her/him] likewise.” (Luke 6:31)  MUTUAL RESPECT is a necessary prerequisite for fulfilling Christ’s marital mandate.  MUTUAL TRUST is another important key.  MUTUAL SERVICE is an indispensable component.  When these three are applied systematically (and simultaneously), the result is always MUTUAL AFFECTION AND INTIMACY. 

There can be no bona fide or fulfilling intimacy in the presence of harsh and hateful spirits.  This is so vitally important that it bears repetition: There can be no bona fide or fulfilling intimacy in the presence of harsh and hateful spirits.  Whenever we genuinely CHERISH and NURTURE of our wives, we fully mobilize “the fruit of the Spirit” within the marriage covenant: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance.” (Galatians 5:22-23)  Marriage is a mystical and spiritual phenomenon whereby TWO BECOME ONE.  When Adam first laid his eyes on Eve, he declared “This is now BONE OF MY BONES, and FLESH OF MY FLESH.” (Genesis 2:23)  In recognition of the presence of their Creator and in realization of the spiritual significance of their marital covenant, our fore-parents were able to be “naked…and not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:25)  Truthfully, there is no other relationship on earth that creates or sustains this level of mutual trust, respect, communication and intimacy.

Kingdom Principle Number Nine: 
LEAVE YOUR BIRTH-HOME (FULLY)…AND CLEAVE TO YOUR WIFE.

In order to sustain a scriptural and successful marriage, it is necessary to depart and detach one’s self from home.  Think about it.  Abram could not become “Abraham” nor realize his divine purpose and destiny within the womb of his birth-home. (Genesis 12:1-4)  Neither could Jesus walk in the fullness of his earthly mission and ministry within the confines of his birth-home.  Jesus reported that “a prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.” (Matthew 13:57)

Of course, leaving home does not diminish respect and regard for one’s parents or siblings.  It merely positions your marriage in its rightful place of absolute priority.  Therefore, the MARRIAGE COVENANT demands a LEAVING (FROM THE BIRTH-HOME) AND A CLEAVING (TO THE WIFE).

“Therefore shall a man LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE UNTO HIS WIFE: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.” (Mark 10:6-8)

As previously stated, we husbands must take care of and provide for our wives and families.  To wit, our God-given assignment is to be HOUSEHOLD PROVIDER and FAMILY PRIEST.  However, WE CAN ONLY GROW UP AND DEVELOP INTO THIS DIVINELY DESTINED ROLE in absentia from our parents.  Indeed, it is impossible for us to become MEN if we hold steadfastly to our mother’s apron strings or our father’s coat tails.  Regard them.  Respect them.  But move-out-and-move-on to fulfill the unique destiny that GOD has in store for you and your spouse.

Kingdom Principle Number Ten: 
DISCOVER THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL UNION AND POWER OF UNITY.

Fundamentally, THREE TIERS OF UNION comprise the marriage covenant.  These are distinctive covenant bonds like none other: SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL and PHYSICAL BONDS OF LOVE.  Genuine and enduring UNITY only takes place when all three are actualized together.  This mystical ‘joining together’ of husband and wife is of divine origin.  The Word of God confirms this truth: “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be JOINED UNTO HIS WIFE, and THEY TWO SHALL BE ONE FLESH.” (Ephesians 5:31)

On a practical note, WE MUST MAKE IT HAPPEN.  WE!  Proactive partnership in marriage means both spouses working diligently together (day and night…night and day) to achieve all of God’s purposes.  Remember: THE FAMILY is the BASIC BUILDING BLOCK of the KINGDOM OF GOD and THE MARRIAGE is the BASIC BUILDING BLOCK of THE FAMILY.  As such, our marriages and families are designed to be viable and visible representations of Heaven-on-Earth!  There is an awesome power that is released from such loving and lasting unions that saves our children and blesses every generation that follows.  

In closing, here is an important point for both marital partners to prayerfully ponder: ARE YOU…OR ARE YOU NOT…FULLY COOPERATING WITH GOD’S PLANS AND PURPOSES IN THE DAILY EXECUTION OF YOUR MARRIAGE COVENANT?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!