Last week we looked at many foundational truths from Ephesians 5. This theology is found in 1 Corinthians also (notice 6:16), and we also find some other helpful instructions for marrieds and singles. While Ephesians gave us an exalted view of marriage, Corinthians give a more down-to-earth view of marriage and singleness. The question for all of us, are we devoted to the Lord – in our current state? In the age to come, marriage will not exist (Matt 22:23-39). But we have a family that will exist forever – the church. Let us give thanks to Christ for His great salvation, and for this great family that we are privileged to belong to.
Husbands are called to love their bride like Christ loved the church. I want to be a better husband, and this text has challenged me to do so. I pray it challenges you as well. Why is this important if you aren’t married? First, this text gives us a glorious description of the love of Christ. Second, this text elevates our concept of the church. Third, if you are single, for your sake, you need to understand what the Bible says about marriage. Finally, you need to understand God’s plan for marriage for your brothers’ and sisters’ sake. We All need this text for multiple reasons.
Christianity is a relational faith. And Life in the Spirit is not just an individual experience, but corporate or relational experience. That is made super clear in this passage. The Spirit’s infilling results in worshiping with one another and submitting to one another. Where does this joy,this heart-felt singing, and this gratitude, and this humility and submissiveness come from? Because I want it! The whole world is looking for it! It doesn’t come from the success of his football team, or the absence of trials. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:18-21 where deep joy in God comes from. It comes from the Holy Spirit.
If we are going to have a living faith, then we need to consume the living Word. We don’t live by bread alone but on every word of God. What I want to do is identify 10 themes under the first three letters (24 verses). Most of them come in the first 16 verses. We will use the remaining verses in Psalm 119 to support these themes.
Psalm 139 is richly theological dealing with God’s omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence; but it is also wonderfully personal, because it speaks of these divine attributes in ways that impact how we live and how we live before the living God. Psalm 139 is about the tension we have in living our life before the Lord.
