Articles
“In the Lord”: The Phrase Which Makes the Difference
“In the Lord”: The Phrase Which Makes the Difference
“And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17).
Whatsoever is done needs the divine authority of God. It is authority which impacts every relationship from v.18-23.
Give attention to the relationship of marriage. Love is what husbands are assigned to do. Wives are given submission as their responsibility. Both of which are divine appointments for those who wish to participate in this relationship. However you may feel about your place in marriage is not the significant point. It is what God says it should be.
Not only is a husband appointed to love his wife, Ephesians 5:25-29 shows how his love is manifested. It comes in the form of leadership, sacrifice, and preservation of purity and holiness in one’s wife. This love will cover every need a wife has in marriage. A wife married to a man who acts in his marriage “in the Lord” will rejoice in this relationship and will act with her husband in whatever they do in the name of the Lord.
Every wife who rejoices in marriage not only appreciates the love of her husband, she behaves in submission “as is fitting in the Lord”. She does not need a husband to tell her what her responsibility is. She receives her call of submission from God for she is already in submission to Him in whatever way He desires of her. With that attitude of heart and her actions of respect and honor toward her husband, she becomes to be all her husband will ever need in a wife. The reason - the phrase “in the name of the Lord”.
“In the Lord” brings what most would consider ordinary or normal in a marriage to what is holy and excellent. “In the Lord” is the highest standard of counsel for any married couple. “In the Lord” is the motive for responsible action resulting in blessings they never thought possible. “In the Lord” never hesitates to forgive, endure, hope, and believe in marriage. “In the Lord” brings two to become one in a relationship where God makes all the difference for the man and woman who are different.
