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NASB | Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 5:33 However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear]. [1 Pet 3:2] |
Bible Question:
Thank you for your well consisered response. I value it highly. I will ponder your words. One thing left, though. How *he* accesses the scripural "as himself" type of love of "himself," (as it is written,)is still a question. Is it possible that he must begin with whatever sense of self preservation or self interest he has at the moment (however scant it may be) and surreder that little unworthy or un-holy looking thing to Jesus and work that very thing out in the interest of his wife, "as himself?" I'm looking for application, not just theory. How does he actually DO this, if he's low on the self respect scale, and isn't "enjoying" the love of God, even though he knows it's real? How, really, does he "walk in faith" according to this instruction? Do you think I'm close? |
Bible Answer: Srchng: In you last paragraph, I feel your sense of frustration. This subject is something which I have wrestled with for most of my life. It is a paradox which I have seen in many Christians. They know they are loved and yet deep inside themselves they feel worthless. I believe that at times children of Christians are subjected to unwise presentation of their condition before God, possibly before they can understand what it means. If we tell them they are worthless,hopeless etc. they will soon believe it to be so. Does this mean that we sugar coat the truth? No! We present the truth as God's word presents it. In short, yes we are born sinners and need a Saviour, but more important God loves us and has proven to us how much he cares by what he was willing to give on our behalf. How do we apply this to an adult? What do we do if an adult Christain is depressed or down on themselves? First of all has this attitude toward self been a way of life for them? Sometimes people have learned how to be negative about everything and it takes a long time to unlearn this. I know from experience that we first of all have to face the fact that our negativity is not positive in our life. There are many studies which show that if we think on things which are negative and self defeating that we will have no sense of power in our lives. Conversely, if we think on things positive, we will be able to better cope with the challenges sent our way. You have mentioned surrendering to God just as we are. Please bear with me for a moment. One time a train was hurtling down through a mountainous and dangerous track. The people on the train were frightened. They noticed however, that one little girl seemed unafraid. Someone asked "are you not frightened with this train?" The girl smiled " No" she said, "my father is the engineer". If we are willing to place child like faith in our Saviour day by day and know that he is able to keep us and give us the grace to struggle through the challenges which seem unsermontable, we are on the right track. Even after we are saved, our stubborn will often grieves and quenches the Spirit of God in our lives. How do we actually do this? Ask ourselves "Are we in Christ?" this is not intended to cause doubts, but to verify our relationship to God. If we are in Christ and are not enjoying fellowship with him and with God, then we must be willing to honestly admit our need of fellowship with him. 1 John 1 is a good passage to read on this. Do I speak to him each day and do I listen to his voice? Only by praying to him and reflecting on and reading his word will this happen. If we walk by faith his word is "is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 I hope this helps Robert |