Main Scriptures: 1 Cor.13:6-7
More Scriptures: Rom.5:5, 1Sam.17:50, Col.3:19
It was during our Lunch Hour Bible Study that the revelation of this Scripture popped up anew in my spirit man. I saw for the first time the force of always. Now, let me ask you this question as a husband and leader of your flock. When do you stop caring for your wife and children? When do you stop hoping for a better life for your sheep? When do you stop being patient with your sheep? When do you stop persevering, even as you lead your wife and children? Well, the answers to the questions are found in our main Scripture today.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres (1Cor.13:7) NIV.
As the good shepherd whom the responsibility to love rests on greatly (Eph.5:25), I want you to please note the word, always. The word of God did not say sometimes or occasionally or even conditionally. This means that there is no time frame within which you are to love your wife and children. The truth from the word of God for you is that YOU ARE TO ALWAYS PROTECT, TRUST, HOPE AND PERSEVERE. For as long as you are the husband and father of the home, you are duty bound to always love your sheep. So, you don’t protect them today and leave them to the wolves tomorrow. You don’t hope that they will turn out to be good today and wish them evil tomorrow. No! because if you love your sheep conditionally, you will easily be discouraged to extend to them the love of Christ. But if you always love them, even when they seem to miss the mark you have set for them, there is this inner conviction that comes from within you that assures you that they can still be better. In fact, rather than condemn them, you become a source of hope for them to try again. Also, when you have the “always mentality”in you, it would be very difficult for anyone to influence you to do anything that could hurt your wife and children. However, for you to always love your sheep in all things, and at all times, you need to take the following steps. Firstly, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour. What this does for you is that it opens your heart up for the Spirit of Jesus Christ, which is also the Spirit of love, to dwell in you. And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Rom.5:5). Until you allow the love of Christ to fill your heart, you will find it very difficult to always love them. Secondly, you must engage the twin weapon of prayer and fasting and intense word study. Husbands, please note that love is not a destination, it is a lifestyle. So, live it!
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, shed Your love abroad in my heart.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me to extend lavishly the love of Christ in my heart to my wife and children.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, deliver me from satanic manipulation and distractions.
FAITH CONFESSION
I recommit my life to ALWAYS think and act right toward my wife and children because I am being helped by the Holy Spirit to become the good and godly husbandman in Jesus Name. Amen.
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