In one of his many sermons on the Ephesians marriage text, Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes, How many of us have realized that we are always to think of the married state in terms of the doctrine of the atonement? Is that our customary way of thinking of marriage—husbands, wives, all of us? Is that how we instinctively think of marriage—in terms of the doctrine of the … [Read more...]
Husband, Love Your Wife (Ephesians 5:25–28a)
Marriage, God’s way, demands that husbands and wives know Jesus Christ as the way (John 14:6). This is the only way to keep a marriage from going astray. And, make no mistake, without this, it will. The gospel of Christ must be at the foundation of your marriage. This is Paul’s point in the passage before us. Marriage has been assaulted and distorted ever since the fall. … [Read more...]
Tight-Lipped
I have at times been chided for being tight-lipped about my family. That is, since I am careful to prudently guard my family’s privacy, I have historically been cautious about what I share with others concerning family matters. Of course, when I have sensed that we needed help beyond our familial circle, then I have sought it. It would be foolish to be pridefully silent and not … [Read more...]
Walking in Love through a World Walking in Lust (Ephesians 5:1–7)
Back in 1977, Watchman Nee wrote a commentary on Ephesians titled Sit, Walk, Stand.[1. Watchman Nee, Sit, Walk, Stand (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, 1977).] The title of the commentary reflects a summary out the outline of the letter. In chapters 1–3, we are told that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, and therefore what is true of Him is true of us … [Read more...]
The Greatest Verse
Every year, BibleGateway.com, which bills itself “the world’s most visited Christian website,” publishes a list of the most read Bible verses on its website. Every year, the list includes a number of well-known and beloved verses, such as Proverbs 3:5–6; Psalm 23:4; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:13; and Jeremiah 29:11. But it will … [Read more...]