April (part 2 of 2)
In the same way we can build the Church of God by recognition of the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of resurrection, by the Word of God given with power and authority, by serving and helping others, and by learning to worship together. It is by all these the Church becomes God's dwelling place. As we take our share in building the dwelling place, we will experience God's presence very near to us.
Every believer has a part or share in the building of the House of God. When our bodies become the temple of God, He will tell us automatically how to serve Him and others. Then the heavenly place is revealed to us for the heavenly Church, in which every believer has a share. We can find out by prayer, what service He requires of us. Pray, "Lord, do You want me to help anybody in need; or comfort anybody in sorrow and discouragement? If so, Lord, give me Your thought and Your message for somebody in weakness and poverty, sickness or discouragement." Thus we can take our share in the building of this dwelling place for God.
APRIL 18
"Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee..." (Isaiah 43:4).
We become to God very precious like the bright, shining, precious stones on the ephod. Take a piece of black coal and put it very deep in the earth. After many centuries, by heat and pressure, the coal will become a diamond. If a piece of black coal becomes a diamond by heat and pressure, how much more can His blood make us a pearl of great price! In the eyes of God we are very precious. Others may call us by other names. Our neighbours and relations may make fun of us by different names and say that we are foolish and stubborn, but the Lord Jesus Christ says that we are His peculiar treasure as we are redeemed by His precious blood (Exo. 19:5; Deut. 14:2). The name Jacob means deceiver but Israel means prince. Before we were born again, we had Jacob's black nature, full of deception. By coming to Him and being transformed we become princes, Israel. The breastplate speaks of those who are purchased by His precious blood. They are very, very precious unto Him. He paid all that He had to purchase them.
In Matt. 13:44-46, we read about a person who is in search of a field. Being a man of experience, he discovers hidden treasure in a field. He sells all that he had to buy that field. His eyes could see that hidden treasure. In a similar way gold was found in a Kolar near Bangalore. For many years it was only a wilderness and a jungle. One day a soldier, who knew something about geology discovered that there was some gold in Kolar. Then he went and bought that land. Similarly the Lord finds some hidden treasure in us. Our fellowmen cannot see it. They can only see our foolishness, our weaknesses and failures. But our Lord Jesus Christ, being the Creator, could see in us the hidden treasure. He gave all that He had to buy us. He left His throne and His glory. He became a babe and was born in a manger. He emptied Himself completely. Eventually He gave His hands and feet to be pierced. His back to be scourged, His hair to be plucked and face to be spat upon. By His precious blood He purchased us, who are full of sin and corruption, to make us precious stones.
APRIL 19
"No man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24).
When we read 2 Chronicles 18, we might think that it is here that the story of Jehoshaphat's downfall begins. However, if we look carefully, we find that the story really begins in chapter 17:13; "he had much business in the cities of Judah". At the first reading, we might overlook this weakness in Jehoshaphat as a small thing; but we must remember, that this small weakness later led to a great downfall. It is true that Jehoshaphat secured much business, became more and more prosperous and amassed great wealth. But the devil made use of his love for money to weaken him. In the same way, Satan will first gain a little entrance into your life and eventually overthrow you completely.
We read in 2 Chronicles 18:1 that Jehoshaphat joined affinity with Ahab. Ahab was one of the worst kings who ever reigned in Israel (1 Kings 16:30-33). It was with such a king that Jehoshaphat entered into an alliance. When people become prosperous, wealthy and well-known, they are tempted to see the friendship of other people who are also well-off in the world. They like to be on friendly terms with every one who is rich or in a high position. Many people love to go to tea-parties, and dinner-parties, not only because of the nice things they can eat, but also because of the prospect of meeting important people there. It gives them a peculiar satisfaction to say to their friends, "I know Mr. So and So (meaning a well know personality); come to me; I will speak to him and get our business problem or your official matter straightened out immediately".
This desire for running after big people of the world is sometimes found even among believers and servants of God. If you are always busy with your children and other people's children, getting them admitted into colleges or getting them married, gradually, your burden for prayer will become less and less. You will adopt more and more worldly ways and methods, and compromise with worldly friends. You will pay less and less attention to God and to His word. Many a servant of God brought in worldly methods even into His service. Such a worldly life will bring great spiritual loss in your life.
APRIL 20
"...every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12).
Resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are the fifth and sixth fundamental principles of salvation (Heb 6:1,2). We must believe that one day we are going to be resurrected from the dead (1 Cor. 15:50- 57). Those who do not believe this truth become careless. By resurrection, I believe, that just as my Lord Jesus Christ rose again, He is also coming back for me and when I see Him, I shall be like Him. Those who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead become worldly. They have no desire to get ready for the Lord's Second Coming.
Sunday by Sunday we take part in the Lord's Table to be prepared for that day. "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come" (1 Cor. 11:26). Thus we declare that the Lord Jesus Who died for us is coming back again to receive us and give us immortal bodies. By believing in the resurrection of the dead, we are saved from worldly deceptions.
One day we have to stand before God to give an account of our lives upon the earth. "...every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). This means we will have to give an account to God of our words and deeds. "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37). If we believe in eternal judgement, we will be very careful with our speech. Our yea should be yea and our nay should be nay. Many times we say things which do not mean. Those who believe in eternal judgement will not waste their money or time or energy. We should be very careful to live a life of watchfulness.
The six fundamental principles mentioned in Heb. 6:1,2 go together; we cannot separate them. If you have repented from dead works, and have faith towards God, if you have testified in the waters of baptism and the laying on of hands, and if you believe in the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement, you will come on a strong foundation and will grow spiritually.
APRIL 21
"...old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).
Now the Lord Jesus Christ has become a quickening Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45). He is the head of a new race; a heavenly race; and He has brought us into it. That is why the apostle Paul says, "as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Cor. 15:49). O, what a great mystery! We shall all be like Him. Even the angels will wonder when they see His glorious image in us. "...we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Cor. 15:51,52). We shall be raised up with immortal and glorified bodies. The work of salvation will be complete in us on that day, and even the angels will wonder at our glory and beauty. However beautiful you might be, as long as you are upon the earth some blemish or other will be found in you; a broken tooth, or a bald head; but on that day when you will have a glorified body, even the angels will not be able to find any blemish in you. That Lord is going to make you a "New Man".
Imagine that a man walking through a poor locality is somehow attracted by a small hut. He pays the price, and buys it. Being a wealthy man and an experienced engineer he pulls down the old hut and on the same site builds an edifice higher than any building in Bombay. It is beautifully designed and wonderful to see; all the passers by wonder how the dirty little hut was transformed into such a beautiful building. The change that will take place in your body, one day will be more marvellous than that. Our Lord is seeking people from every country and every community, rich and poor, literate and illiterate, so that He may pour into them His own life and change them into a new race, heavenly and immortal, through whom He can show forth His grace for eternity.
Not knowing God's wonderful plan, men in all parts of the world are trying to become righteous by their own efforts. Such men are just like people who use soap and cream to become beautiful, and yet remain ugly. No human effort can make you holy or righteous. After you have done all, God will still have to say that you are "dead in sins" (Eph 2:5). The Lord had to pay the same price for all by shedding His precious blood. By His death on the cross He has put an end to the old creation. By His resurrection He has begun a new creation. We, who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, are that new creation and in that sense we are called the "New Man".
The Lord says, "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5). First the work begins in us, and we are given a new heart, a new conscience, a new mind, a new nature, a new wisdom, a new glory, a new beauty, a new strength, a new hunger and thirst, a new calling, and new vocation, new friends, new thoughts and new desires; as you find in 2 Cor. 5:17,18, "... all things are become new. And all things are of God." This work will go on continuously until the earth and the heaven also pass away and creation becomes completely new. Then God's glory will be seen through us. That is why we are called, "One New Man".
APRIL 22
"...endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).
The Lord appeared to the disciples at the lake of Tiberias at Galilee, when they had gone fishing. The disciples had toiled all night and had caught nothing. Early in the morning the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them and said, "Children have ye any meat?" They answered Him "No". And he said unto them, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find". They obeyed Him immediately, and were not able to pull the net into the boat for the great number of fish. There were 153 large fishes and yet the net was not broken (John 21:11). By this miracle the Lord taught His servants the disciples, the secret of an abundantly fruitful ministry in His service. Many of us go on struggling hard in the Lord's work and yet see no fruit. We depend too much upon our own zeal and wisdom.
But when we learn the secret of finding God's plan for our ordinary activities we find the Lord coming in and making our labours fruitful. By coming into the heavenly plan for our personal, family and church life, we get the power of resurrection. At the same time He taught His disciples that just as the fishes obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ when He commanded them to go into the net without struggling, we have to obey His command and do what He asks and give Him what He demands from us. What an orderly manner these great fishes came into the net without any striving, because they had heard the voice of the Creator. Similarly, in His service we have to keep ourselves under His subjection, free from any spirit of striving or jealousy.
When the disciples came to the shore they saw a fire, and fish upon it, and bread (John 21:9). Thereby the Lord showed them that as they obeyed Him, He made every provision for all their needs. The same applies to us. Fire speaks of the love with which He prepared it to keep them warm. At the same time it speaks of the fullness of the Spirit which we enjoy in His service when we obey Him fully. The fish speak of the souls who are saved through us, as we obey His commandments, and the bread speaks of the Word of God upon which we have to feed daily to receive extra strength. Then the Lord questioned Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? ...Feed my lambs... Feed my sheep" (John 21:15,16). This shows how our love can be real only when we learn to feed His lambs, and His sheep and shepherd them. It is only by helping others in their need and in bearing the burdens of each other with joy and sacrifice that we bring satisfaction to the loving heart of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great Chief Shepherd.
APRIL 23
"...joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth ..." (Luke 15:7).
The joy of the Lord begins in heaven and not upon the earth, Luke 15:10. The Holy Spirit through God's Word brings strong conviction and real repentance in the heart of a man. When he truly repents of his sins, believes in the Lord Jesus Christ that He died for him on his behalf, there is joy in heaven among all the angels of God. When a sinner repents immediately God calls all the angels to sing with all the heavenly instruments. The same heavenly joy is poured into the heart of this repentant sinner also. So it is a joy from heaven. If it were an earthly joy which comes from the preacher, it would soon fade away. One day some people may raise their hands in a meeting and say that they are born again. The next day over a very trifling matter they will get offended. But the joy which comes into a person from heaven can never fade away.
That is why John the Baptist, as a fore-runner of the Lord Jesus Christ, preached about repentance and said, "Bring forth therefore fruit meet for repentance". The Lord Jesus preached saying, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17). Both John the Baptist, and the Lord Jesus Christ preached of being filled with the Holy Ghost. If people repent for their sins it should be from heart and not from the lips. To ensure that the repentance is genuine we must make sure that we repent not because of fear, or what people would think of us, or to keep up a good name. To some people repentance is a very vague thing. They very lightly say "Oh God, if I have done this or I have done that, please forgive me". They have no real conviction and sorrow for their sins. Job had a revelation of God. He had the vision of God's beauty and glory and His mighty power, as he never had before. This made him abhor and hate himself in God's presence.
We read in Luke 5:8 that Simon Peter fell down at Jesus' feet saying, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord". Our Lord did not need to expose Simon's sins or rebuke him. But Peter himself was greatly convicted when he saw the greatness and mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Again in Luke 19:8 we see how Zacchaeus repented very sincerely. Our Lord never had the need to point out to him that he was corrupt in money matters. The very presence of the Lord brought real repentance and change of heart in him and said, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and If have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold". So we see how joy comes to us from heaven through real repentance, and it is poured into the heart of anyone who truly repents.
APRIL 24
"...Christ, ... is our life..." (Col. 3:4).
The priests who carried the ark remained in the river till all the people had crossed over to the other side. Without a single person being left back all went across. As far as God is concerned He has made sufficient provision for each believer to possess the inheritance. We may hesitate and think that such a great privilege is meant only for people like apostle Paul or other great persons. But in a way God is showing us that those who put their faith in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ can have their share in the inheritance, not by depending upon their own human abilities, but by faith they can surely claim the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves. In Col. 3:9,10, Paul writes about putting off the old man with its deeds and putting on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of God. Crossing the river indicates that the people of Israel had to put off old life and were entering into an entirely new life. So we say by faith that the Lord Jesus had put away the old man with sinful nature and also claim by faith the newness of life which He manifested in His rising again from the dead. By that life we can be prepared for receiving the heavenly inheritance.
Just as we need food for physical strength to carry on our daily tasks, we need the life of our Lord Jesus Christ to be able to shoulder our different responsibilities and to overcome various temptations. If we do not eat properly our body will not co-operate with us. Also it is not possible to eat once for all and be strong for a long time. Our bodies are so made that we have to eat two or three times a day. The same is true spiritually also. In order to be strengthened we must take by faith the life of the Lord Jesus. We can tell Him day after day, "Lord, Your life is my life. I want that life for this day's duties and activities". In this way we can be strengthened and can overcome our weaknesses. Otherwise we are bound to fail and remain weak.
APRIL 25
"...we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).
The Lord wants us to have a clear glimpse of Himself and of His glory. Most of our troubles are due to this, that we do not see Him or know Him as He is. Whenever we feel discouraged, disappointed and defeated, we can find a sure remedy: turn towards the Lord Jesus Christ and receive a new vision of Him. Christian people throughout the world are conscious of the lack of holiness among themselves. We do not see life and power among God's people. Yet our Lord said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do" (John 14:12). Again He said, "...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:20). We read in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever". These verses in God's Word which are known to almost every Christian, show that our God can never fail. But we have failed, therefore we do not receive His power.
Our Lord knew beforehand every attack the devil would make upon His people. That is why He has given us many words of warning. We should not think that because the enemy is very strong we will be defeated. Our Lord says so plainly. "...be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Only by Him and through Him can we get victory. We need a clear glimpse of Him before we can experience the victorious Christian life.
In the Book of Revelation we see how we have to come to the Lord Jesus Christ in order to become more than conquerors. The message of this book is message of complete victory. This victory qualifies us to inherit all things of the new creation, and to recover every loss which we have sustained. We do not like to lose anything, nevertheless, it often happens that we do lose something. We lose by negligence; by theft and by our own forgetfulness. We have a great record of losses. Then imagine somebody comes to you one day and says, "Sir, come with me and see all the things you have ever lost". You follow him, and to your great surprise you find everything there that you have lost, and behold, they have all become new. Now would you not feel very, very happy? You would say, "Praise the Lord! All my lost things have been recovered."
You find the very same message in the Book of Revelation. It tells us how every loss, right from the day that Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, may be recovered. Mankind has lost everything because of the curse of sin. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to restore to us all that we have lost. Our Lord will perform wonders. He will take our ruined lives, defiled with sin, and make them perfectly whole.
APRIL 26
"... there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee" (Psalm 73:25).
Because we do not see the Lord as He is we live a life of defeat. Our eyes are unsteady looking in two directions; one eye upon the Lord, and one upon the world. Many years ago in Allahabad I saw a Brahmin shopkeeper. He had one part of his shop full of idols and in other part he help the things which he sold such as rice, sugar, etc. If anyone came to buy something he would attend upon him, and then he would return to other side and attend upon those who came to worship the idols. He could do both things cleverly. He knew how to cheat the customers and at the same time he knew how to worship the idols. It is the same with many believers; they have one eye upon the Lord, and other upon something else. That is why they become spiritually blind. When you really want to see Him, your eyes should be only upon Him.
We waste our time looking at persons and things which have no concern with us, and that is why our life is so barren. Even men like John the apostle, could be deceived. Our Lord loved John and He had so much to show him and give him. You find more mysteries in the book of Revelation than in any other. But they were all revealed to John in his old age when he was in prison and very discouraged. Then he saw things that nobody else had seen. Our Lord was able to show him the whole of heaven and the whole of His kingdom. This privilege is for us also. Our Lord Himself said in Matt. 13:17 that these mysteries are now to be revealed to us. Things which eyes have not seen, which ears have not heard, which have not entered into the heart of man, can be revealed to us according to 1 Cor. 2:9-10, provided we have eyes to see and ears to hear. But our point now is this; our eyes have been deceived and drawn away by many other things. What are the things that draw you most? Suppose you go to a bazaar with your wife and child and you pass by various shops; whenever you come to a sweetmeat shop or to the toy. The child has interest only in these things. And when you pass a sari shop your wife says, "Look at that beautiful sari." Thus we are all attracted by the things that we like most. Now can you say that the Lord has given you eyes to see that you may learn to be drawn to Him alone? If not, pray like the Psalmist in Psalm 119:18 "Open thou mine eyes." Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see; then you will see the beauty and the glory of the Lord Jesus such as you have never seen before. Look unto Jesus, and go on looking unto Him: and let no man or woman or anything else, draw away your attention.
APRIL 27
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14).
In the tabernacle of the Old Testament there were three parts, as we see in Heb. 9:2-5, first, there was the outer court, where the altar was kept for sacrifices, and laver to wash the feet. Then there was the Holy place where the priests ministered. Thirdly, was the Ark of God in the most Holy place. In the most Holy place behind the veil, and on the Ark was the mercy seat. The priests were not allowed to go there. The sunlight shone in the outer court, and divine light in the most Holy place. There was no door nor window in the holy place but light was always burning in the golden candlestick which was kept there for that purpose. Only the high priest could go behind the veil once a year with the blood of the sacrifice; no other person could go there. Here, God is saying that only the efficacy of the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ can anyone enjoy His Holy presence. We have to be forgiven of all our sins, washed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ because every sin we commit either by thought, word or deed leaves a mark on our conscience.
By merely confessing our sins to the Lord Jesus Christ and repenting of them we are not made righteous. Every sin we commit either by thought, word or deed leaves a mark on our conscience and these marks or stains cannot be removed by our tears of repentance or offerings. Our conscience reminds us constantly of our past sins. When we go through any difficulty our conscience accuses us that God is punishing us for the sins which we committed in the past. Many people being pricked in their conscience weep, fast and give charity. Some go on pilgrimage, thinking that by doing these things the marks on their conscience will go away. Because of their guilty conscience they are troubled and have no peace. Many people are troubled at the time of their death because of their sins and start weeping, pleading with others to do something to help them get mental relief. No human effort can bring real peace to our conscience. The stains of our guilty conscience are washed away only by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus, as we read in Heb. 9:12. The Lord Himself entered into the Holy place with His blood. According to the prophecy in Psalm 16:10, the body of the Lord Jesus Christ did not see corruption. He is perfectly holy. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Now His blood is there in heaven, and it has everlasting life. From there it is sprinkled into the heart of the repentant sinner. By the blood all our guilty stains are washed away.
APRIL 28
"...the glory which thou gavest me I have given them" (John 17:22).
The apostle speaks of the world to come or the New Creation in Hebrews 2:5. That New Creation will show forth God's glory for eternity. In that New Creation there is no more death, neither pain nor tears (Rev. 21:3-5). It will be free from the curse of sin and will last for ever. We are told that this New Creation will not be governed by the angels (Heb. 2:5), even though they are mighty angels, always doing God's will and pleasure. But it will be governed by those who are sought and saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. In Psalm 103:20 it says that the angels excel in strength, do His commandments and constantly hear God's voice. They do not rebel or disobey. They are mighty and shining (Luke 24:4), and are many in number (Rev. 5:11) and yet the Scripture says, the coming New Creation filled with God's glory, will not be governed by the angels. In chapter one of Hebrews we see that the angels will be made our ministering spirits. Imagine the day when the Lord Jesus Christ will gather all the angels to tell something of the glory of the coming New Creation. When they are told of the glory of the coming Creation they will be filled with wonder. After telling the angels about the glory of the coming New Creation, the Lord will also reveal to them that it will not be governed by them, but by man who is sought and saved by His grace. According to Jude verse 24, one day we shall be presented faultless before God. Then we shall be more glorious than even the angels. The Lord emptied Himself and purchased us with His precious blood to give us such a high calling and position.
If the Lord had desire, He could have come into the world like an angel. But for a special purpose He became like one of us (Heb. 2:16, 17). For forty days He allowed Satan to bring before Him all temptations which can possibly come to any human being (Luke 4:1,2). For our sake He conquered all those temptations. So He knows exactly what kind of temptation we are facing. Whenever we have any weakness or temptation, the Lord helps us to overcome. We are being transformed day by day into His likeness by His grace, love and precious blood. And one day we shall see Him, and be like Him and be partakers of His glory and beauty. With that glory, we shall govern the New Creation. Now our earthly trials, temptations and afflictions prepare us for the New Creation. What a high purpose our Lord has in saving us even though we are so foolish! There are some wealthy parents who have high purposes for their children. They want them to occupy high positions in life; but if you ask his small child what he wants to be when he is grown up, he says that he wants to become a policeman! If you ask him the reason, he will say, "I can stop all the traffic". As children they cannot understand their father's great purpose for their lives. We also sometimes cannot understand our Heavenly Father's great purpose for our lives. Many believers live as beggars upon the earth and live a life of defeat and shame, because they cannot understand God's great purpose in saving them. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" What a great loss we incur if we are careless and negligent about our salvation! We have to be watchful, prayerful, diligent and careful.
APRIL 29
"...there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall" (Nehemiah 4:10).
Nehemiah saw that because the walls were burnt, there was much rubbish lying here and there. So to have a strong wall built they had to remove all the rubbish first. This rubbish speaks of man-made customs, traditions and practices. If we want God's work to be strong we must remove all such rubbish (Mark 7:1- 13).
In many places we have seen people ignoring God's Word and clinging to man-made customs, rituals and practices, which they have received from their forefather and not from the Word of God.
God calls from His people some to be pastors and some to be evangelists and some others to be preachers and so on. When He calls them He also appoints them and prepares them. We have seen in some assemblies how those who were ambitious for position in the Church brought so much rubbish in the form of divisions, parties and strife. Unless this rubbish is removed God's work cannot be established according to the Word of God and fulfilment of His heavenly plan.
When the work of the Lord increases we cannot come together for fellowship as often as we would like to. This brings weakness in the assembly. This weakness gives room for the rubbish of indifference towards each other. To overcome this difficulty we need to make an extra effort to come together for fellowship. The Holy Convocation gatherings and special meetings are arranged from time to time to help us to come together for fellowship and thus overcome the difficulty of times of separation.
APRIL 30
"...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost" (Romans 5:5).
Those who are getting married must ask the Lord to pour into their hearts divine, pure and spiritual love for each other, which does not depend upon physical attraction, earthly possessions and worldly qualifications. Such a love must be inward experience and it is a gift of God. In Eph. 5:25 the Lord says, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it". This exhortation is repeated in verses 28 and 33. How did the Lord love us? We had no fortune and no qualification; we had grieved Him and wounded Him, yet He loved each one of us, and gave His body to be broken for us. He loved us so much because He is our Creator. Even though we did nothing for Him, He died for us. Such a divine love is necessary between husband and wife. They should pray by faith, "Lord Jesus Christ, we are joined by for each other". Furniture, motor car, jewels, degrees, and other possessions will not make a happy home. It is God's love that will make their home happy. From the beginning of their married life they should ask the Lord for such a love. The Lord said, "Ask, and it shall be given you" (Matt. 7:7). First of all His life must flow into them. Then the pure heavenly love will make them both true partners, friends, co-workers and companions. Such a love will increase in trials, hardships and sufferings, and will draw them both together to a most intimate relationship.