As we look into “The Master’s Plan” for marriage, we are going to comment on the passage that leads into the subject of marriage, “submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21) Many people curl up into a proverbial ball when they hear the word “submission” (myself included!). The reason why we react this way is because the remaining corruption that is in our flesh does not want to let go of its “independence.” The voice of the flesh is always, “‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’” (Luke 19:14) But unless the Lord reigns over us, our lives will be reduced to chaos and confusion, “for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:16)
So, as we once again look at God’s “GPS” (God’s Perfect Solution) for marriage, may God grant us the grace to submit to His truth. When we determine to change our attitudes and actions to align with God’s perfect word, God promises: “…I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” (Proverbs 1:23)
This submission to God’s Word must not be thought of as some kind of overnight magic that immediately removes years of sowing to the flesh, but it does set into motion those seeds of The Spirit that will in due time spring up and bring about true change for the better. What physical therapy is to our physical bodies, godly submission is to our souls. Initially there is that ache and pain that have built up over years of inactivity that are now being “invaded” by this strange phenomenon called “discipline” (ouch!). The Spirit of God reminds us that “no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:11)
As we look to The Master Builder (Psalm 127:1), may we “let patience have its perfect work” (James 1:4) as God does some heart and “home repairs” in our lives. God has included this subject of marriage in Scripture, knowing that not only married, but also single, widowed, or divorced people would be reading them. How wonderful it is to know that all of God’s Word is “profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16), and it contains the DNA of life for those who hear and heed its message with all of our hearts. “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2)
