Ephesians 5:1-33. Husband, love your wife as yourself; and Wife, reverence your husband.

It is the longest chapter in the book of Ephesians, yet it has only one advice to each husband, wife, and to the Spirit Church; and it is the most important advice to all families in the world, and for all those who are looking for eternal life. That is: husband, you love your wife as yourself; and wife, reverence your husband; Church, you follow God. Church is the family of God, or rather the Bride of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. This chapter is not strong on doctrines but has advice for basic foundation to any family; and also tells us about the relationship of the Spirit Church and Jesus Christ. "Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;" So, we must follow God. But God is invisible omnipotent Spirit, how can we follow him? It is one of the reasons, he became a mere man to show us the way to live, by following his steps. It is in 1 Peter 2:21, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" The steps are explained here. "2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." Jesus tells you and me that we must love each other as God loves us, and he is an example to us. But no preacher preaches this, but always say that Jesus sacrificed himself. One more thing; remember that God not only has love, but he has also wrath. If we obey him, he has love; but if we do not obey him, he shows wrath. For an example, Ephesians 2:2&3 mentions that children of disobedience are children of wrath. So, if we are in the Spirit church, then God loves us. "3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." These verses spelled out a few sins, and if we do them we will not go to heaven, because we are children of disobedience. "6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." Most preachers say that salvation is free, and it is easy to obtain; and all such sermons are vain words. But they do not preach what God tells you to do, to be saved. So, the wrath of God is upon them, instead of his love. So, "7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. " If we take part with their life and be friends with them, even we cannot escape hell.

"8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" We were sinning before under the influence of Satan, but now we are converted under the influence of the holy Spirit, and we are in the body of Christ, under God. "9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." Goodness and righteousness in truth, are not only acceptable to God, but it is also fruit of the Spirit, which is proof that we are in the Spirit. "11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." The important factor is that we must not have fellowship with sinners; they are in darkness; we must reprove them and reject them. "12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret." So, they are total disgust to God. "13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." In order to manifest the light; in this context, the Spirit in truth must rebuke the darkness with power; it is shining the light. How to get this light with power? "14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Wake up, arise from the dead, are phrases to be born again. It is to receive the holy Spirit from God; if you already have flame as a candle, receive more power; and do such things. "15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." These are different ways of saying to be vigilant, and not to take it easy in the matter of eternal life. The following are also encouragement in the Spirit, but these are not doctrines. "18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." That is, don't be merry making in worldly ways, but manifest in Spirit, which will be singing melody and rejoicing in the Lord. Have a godly fellowship with the brethren in the Lord.

Before I get into the rest of the chapter, I must tell you this. If you follow my study, you already knew that the Spirit Church will be the Bride of the Lamb, and the Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ. The union of God and Man in eternity will be as a family union, as Father and Son in the Spirit, or rather as Bride and Groom. God advises husband and wife in the following verses. God cites Christ and his Church as an example for that. Until and unless, we meet these criteria, we will not be in the family of God. So, please do not take this advice lightly.

Husband and wife are the foundation of the family. If they are united, the foundation is strong; but if they are divided, then the foundation is shaky. So, the Holy Ghost gives advises to the roots of the family, they are husband and wife, through the word of God. They are not in the form of difficult doctrines, but as simple advice to common people. If we like to obey God, they are easy; instead, if we want to obey ourselves, they are the most difficult and impossible things to do. Let us see what they are. Please bear in mind that these are advice from God, who has created both man and woman. And he is neither man nor woman, but he is Spirit. He is most righteous, and he is not biased.

Let us see what God tells us. "22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body." It is God who says husband is the head, and the example he gives is as Christ is the head of the church. So, there is no room for argument and the matter is settled. "24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." So, it is reaffirmed that wives are subject to husbands in everything. Even if we do not like it, we must abide by it. Then he turns to husbands. "25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." God tells husbands not only to love their wives, but also nourish them and make them precious for them. At the same time, God is teaching a doctrinal truth also about how God is taking care of his Spirit church and makes her pure and perfect with no blemish for himself. Jesus Christ sanctifies the church with his word. "28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself." We know that the church is the body of Christ. He applies it here as wives are the bodies of their husbands. "29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." God is telling how husbands must treat their wives, wives are part of husbands, so also, God says that his Spirit church will be a part of him here and in heaven. If we are of the Spirit, we will obey God; but if we are of the flesh, we cannot obey God.

In countries like India, joint family system is still in force, and it is their prestige. Now, God's advice is against their system of pride. If our love for God is true, we will humble ourselves and leave the family pride. "31 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." God not only correcting the social system, but he applies this also to the Spirit church. "32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. " So, the mystery is that it is Christ and church. "33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." This must be the order in our families, and also in the Spirit Church. Our obedience to God in every matter, even in this, is our righteousness. We need it for eternal life, especially if we want to be Sons of God, or the Bride of Christ.