UNDERSTANDING THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE GODLY HUSBANDMAN (3)

Main Scriptures: 1Jn.5:1-3

More Scriptures: Jas.1:22, Rom.5:5, Heb.11:6

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (Jn.15:1-4) New International Version.

In the last few years that God has privileged me to be in ministry, I have had cause to speak with couple of husbands that had challenges with their sheep. One common denominator that flows through all of these is that they wish they can love their sheep again. They sometimes wish they could do what I admonished them to do. But I have come to discover from the Word of God that you don’t wish for things to happen, you partner with God through the Person of the Spirit to make things happen. When a husband continues to excuse his failures to love his wife and children as Christ would, he is just being irresponsible. As the head of your family, you must take up the challenge of loving your sheep. The Scripture says that we are not just hearers of the word, but doers of the Word (Jas.1:22). The love you extend to your flock grows with time. It is like laying one block upon another until the house is formed. That is what you must do. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments (1Jn.5:1-3). It is true that loving your wife and children comes with a cost. But if you compare the cost and the benefit, you will realize that the benefits far outweigh the cost.

But how do I commit myself to love and to keep loving my wife and children as the godly husband and father? First, it is by praying in the Holy Ghost. Since the love of Christ is spread abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, it takes a deeper connection with Him to demonstrate love rather than wish it. 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). Secondly, you must walk in faith. As the head of your family, you cannot do much without faith in God and His ability. The Scripture tells us that without faith you cannot please God, and with faith you can do all things. And as you walk in this light of loving your sheep as Christ has commanded you to, you become a husband of honour and dignity. You can never miss it loving your sheep. You gain everything.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, endue me with power to love my wife and children as You would.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, destroy every foundation of bitterness and anger towards my flock.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, guide me continually through Your word and empower me to be both hearer and doer of Your will for my wife and children.

FAITH CONFESSION

I recommit to allow the word of God to influence how I love my wife and children because that is the evidence that I am the good and godly husband in Jesus name. Amen.

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