30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 16 18 The covenantal relationship of marriage 06 Being submissive to each other
📖 Luke 16:18
23Apr2020 - *Being submissive to each other* - _Luke 16:18_ - Bible reading: _Ephesians 5:21-24_
Luke 16:18 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery._
We have been learning about the covenantal relationship of marriage. As always, we must let the word of God bring healing in our lives and in our marriages. We have been looking at a few passages in the Old Testament that give us a glimpse of the covenantal love of God for His church.
We now move into the famous passage in the New Testament about marriage which is in _Ephesians chapter five_. As we read this chapter, we realise that Apostle Paul is talking about life in the body of Christ. He then begins the teaching on marriage. We must, therefore, see marriage as units within the body of Christ. Life in the body of Christ feeds into life in the marriage relationship and the other way around too.
As Paul begins to explain the marriage relationship, he links the teaching about life in the body of Christ to life in the marriage relationship with _Ephesians 5:21 submitting to one another in the fear of God._
What does this mean? We must realise that marriage begins in an atmosphere of submission to one another as husband and wife. Married life must begin with submission to each other and this is what we must teach our young people, as they prepare for marriage that the marriage relationship begins with an attitude of submission to one another.
Looking back at our marriages, we remember the ego clashes that we have had over, often, very silly matters. We must apply the cross in our marriage. _Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me._
Every time, we notice our ego beginning to stir, we must take it immediately to the cross and by faith be crucified with Christ. We must know that it is Christ, who lives from within us. When we are crucified with Christ, we can experience the life of Christ, beautifully emerging from within us and the situation, which could have otherwise been unpleasant, tuns into a lovely experience that we can cherish.
As long as we keep fanning the flame of our ego, we will not be able to experience the life of Christ emerging from with us, in that explosive situation. Sadly, we are quick to recognise and attack our partner’s ego, while we dodge and give excuses for our own ego symptoms.
Will we be willing to take a decision today to be submissive to each other, by the grace of God? I assure you that your marriage will soar.
As we carry the death of Jesus in us, the life of Jesus emerges from within us. _II Corinthians 4:10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body._
*Thought to ponder*
```The centrality of the cross in our marriage cannot be overemphasised```