Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: 1 Samuel 10-12; Ephesians 5:17-33
Submit to the Lord – Ephesians 5:17-33
17 Because of this, don’t be ignorant, but understand the Lord’s will. 18 Don’t get drunk on wine, which produces depravity. Instead, be filled with the Spirit in the following ways: 19 speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts; 20 always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 and submit to each other out of respect for Christ. 22 For example, wives should submit to their husbands as if to the Lord. 23 A husband is the head of his wife like Christ is head of the church, that is, the savior of the body. 24 So wives submit to their husbands in everything like the church submits to Christ. 25 As for husbands, love your wives just like Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. 26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word. 27 He did this to present himself with a splendid church, one without any sort of stain or wrinkle on her clothes, but rather one that is holy and blameless. 28 That’s how husbands ought to love their wives—in the same way as they do their own bodies. Anyone who loves his wife loves himself. 29 No one ever hates his own body, but feeds it and takes care of it just like Christ does for the church 30 because we are parts of his body. 31 This is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two of them will be one body.[a] 32 Marriage is a significant allegory,[b] and I’m applying it to Christ and the church. 33 In any case, as for you individually, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and wives should respect[c] their husbands.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
When we read this passage, we need to understand Paul’s assertions to the followers; ‘to understand and follow God’s will.’
He then uses three ways to do so. First, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Second, to give thanksgiving to the Lord and praise God’s Holy Name. And last, practice love and respect in our relationship with our spouse to fully be submitted to the love and direction of our Lord.
By presenting these three disciplines, Paul wanted the followers to experience the true joy of following God’s will and God’s will only. Sometimes, however, we don’t mention the overall goal of these disciplines and focus more on the disciplines as if it is the law. Some even misuse these disciplines to prove their own ways and thoughts, which is contrary to the purpose of Paul sharing these words, following God’s will, not mine.
If we see what we are missing out on, practicing these disciplines will be much easier. God wants us to find that everlasting joy by following God’s will. Pray that we will always be sensitive to follow God’s will!
Prayer
Lord, help us to understand your will and follow it with our mind, heart, and soul. Help us see the joy of following your ways in this world. Shine through me, today. In Christ name we pray, Amen.
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