Christian Life and Its Sufferings (4) & (5)

0:00We praise the Lord for thy great plan, that we might well in place may be. Thou with Him as we filled with thee, Thou in the sun as fresh might be. Welcome to Life Study of the Bible with Witnessly, a program brought to you by Living Stream Ministry. Witnessly, a servant of the Lord for over seven decades on five continents, culminated his ministry with a 21-year book-by-book exposition of the entire Bible, which he called a Life Study. This Life Study is the basis of our program today, which includes short portions of the spoken messages given by Witnessly. Now, let's join today's Life Study.

1:01The Bible speaks about marriage and about the marriage life in many places, and it's common for people to select their own favorite passages on this most personal of subjects. How often, for example, do husbands anxious to establish their authority court such verses as Ephesians, chapter 5, verse 22, where the Apostle Paul says, wives be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord. While many wives might prefer to remind their spouses of verse 25 in the same chapter, husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. But Peter also speaks of marriage, and may in fact offer one of the most excellent passages in all of Scripture on the subject. Speaking to the husbands, he says in chapter 3 of his first epistle, husbands in like manner dwell together with them, according to knowledge, as with the weaker, female vessel, assigning honor to them, as also to fellow heirs of the grace of life

2:06that your prayers may not be hindered. Francis Paul has joined us today, as we join the Apostle Peter and his word to both husbands and wives on this subject. Francis, good to have you here and your experience and your wisdom to complement what we're about to hear. Well, I do thank the Lord for such a word as was given to us in Peter and to give us a balance of our relationship with our wives. I think this is probably much more applicable than sometimes we make Ephesians chapter 5 a matter of choice, which ones you want to emphasize, but Peter seems to bring the two together, I think in this message, more so. He does, and we have this expression in this verse we just read here, chapter 3 verse 7, fellow heirs of the grace of life. What a marvelous word, Francis. I mean, we might get stumbled or we might get stopped in that verse only going as far as with the weaker female vessel. Of course, this ruffles a lot of feathers in the current age that

3:09we live in and the climate of equal rights and such things, but we really would I think prefer, even though we will touch that portion of the verse, we prefer to really focus our attention on this matter of pursuing together as joint heirs or fellow heirs of grace of life. I think that's the bullseye in our message today, isn't it? I really feel this is very necessary, especially among us who are believers in Christ. We have another life and we're partaking of this life in an equal way. And I feel this is a marvelous word to us. Francis, one of the things we'll come to in this first portion, as witnessly picks up this verse 7 that we've been talking about and this expression fellow heirs of the grace of life, it really is a clear reference back to his earlier word in chapter 1 of the first epistle. In verse 4, he said unto and inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading kept in the heavens for you. Of course, here he's talking to us as individual believers, not as married couples, but the clear reference to this inheritance, this unfading

4:13incorruptible inheritance that's kept in the heavens, it's heavenly in its nature. And now he presents this is really the goal and the primary objective of the married life that we would become joint heirs and participants in such a inheritance. All right, let's join witnessly and then we'll come back to have a bit more fellowship on this point. Now we come to the marriage life, assigning honor as to the waker, female vessel, as also joined heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. Talking about marriage life, Peter uses this kind of excellent, topmost expressions. Husband and wife, you both have to realize you are coheirs of what? Grace of life. There is a wonderful item in this universe that is termed the grace

5:23of life. And this is so solid, so real, so substantial, that we can inherit, and we can be heirs, even the husband and wife can be coheirs, such a solid, substantial grace. Grace of life is just a triangle processed and becoming the all-inclusive life-giving and indulging spirit, such a triangle within us is the grace of life. And we both husband, wife's are what are coheirs. We inherit together such inheritance, such a proper inheritance. And this is included in the inheritance, incorruptible, undefealed, and fading, and kept in

6:28heavens. This is included in that inheritance. And now boats are heirs, coheirs of such inheritance, the grace of life. Francis, I really rather than talking about and getting stuck on this matter of the weaker vessel, et cetera, et cetera, I really do have the feeling we should focus on this matter of the inheritance of the grace of life and joint heirs or fellow or coheirs on the grace of life. We don't want to take our eye off the mark, you're doing. No, that's right, Chris. I feel like this is very important because many Christian families or Christian couples have a big problem in this area of not realizing that they're both joint heirs, not you're an heir and I'm not, but you were joint heirs of the grace of life. And this grace is of life. Brethren, he brings out

7:31that the grace of life is really the triune God Himself as the life-giving compound all-inclusive spirit who is dwelling in every believer. So to have this grace as our focal point, we realize this is a joint inheritance. We are joint heirs together with one another in this wonderful grace. In program last week, a couple of programs actually that also dealt with this matter of grace, we saw how Peter presents it in the context of the sufferings that are part of every day life for all people and all believers. But particularly for believers, this matter of grace becomes the enablement, the empowering to really live still a kind of excellent manner of life, even in the presence, even in the midst of sufferings. Well, all of us, I think, who have some years of experience in the marriage life, this is a very appropriate presentation, isn't it, on the grace of life being an active ingredient in a proper marriage? It must be something very practical, I would say,

8:37in one way, a down-to-earth application of a heavenly reality. So we need this kind of realization and this kind of experience to even suffer through many things and still enjoy Christ as the grace of life. Sometimes the Lord seems to particularly use our family situations, maybe not just our husband-wife relationship, it might be our children, but in any regard, there's a vast arena here of opportunities that the Lord uses to bring us to not just the ability or the endurance of suffering, but to bring us to Himself as this grace of life. As you said, as the Triune God, the processed Triune God within us as the life-giving spirit. And this is really his focus many times, isn't it, in allowing these things in our environment to sometimes become haywire, according to our estimation? Yes, between couples there can be all kinds of troubles created by different opinions about our life, even our Christian life, but we need

9:42to be brought always back to the Spirit where the Spirit of God is and be able to realize that we are equal partakers of this grace. And this will see us through all kinds of problems that don't need to distract us, but really enhance our enjoyment of Christ and enjoyment of one another. Francis, we're actually in this portion at the beginning of chapter 3, quite a long portion, about 12, 13 verses total, but we're looking at this section as a whole, dealing with marriage and the marriage life. But now let's come back to verse 1. Because verse 1, Peter, actually, it seems like quotes, almost verbatim, Paul's word that we read at the beginning of the program in Ephesians chapter 5. In like manner, Peter writes, wives, be subject to your own husbands, Paul's word in Ephesians 5 is, wives, be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord. So really no difference at all here between Peter and Paul on this point. And as I said in the program opening, somewhat tongue in cheek, maybe this is the husband's favorite part to pick up these

10:47kind of verses and remind their wives of this admonition for them to be subject to their husbands, but there's a proper context in which we are going to see that today, isn't there? Yes, there is because it is customary, particularly with self-important husbands to want to enforce this word on their wives, that you were told to be subject to me, and they put themselves in a position of being the boss, but not much realization that she's one with you in this. Right. All right, let's go back to witness leaves. We pick up this matter of wives being subject to their own husbands. Verse 1, in like manner, in what manner? In like manner, like what? Leg the manner mentioned in 218. Household servants submit yourself or subject yourself to a master. So not only the servants should subject

11:50to somebody, the masters, even wives. Wives should subject yourself to the husband. In like manner wives subject yourself to your own husband. Of course, I remind you, Peter said the same thing as Paul. Paul also used the word own. Many ladies, they appreciate others as somebody. Have you found why? Because your own husband stays with you too close, too long. All his defects, all his shortcomings, have been exposed to us thoroughly. And the other man never stayed with you. You know this story when in dating, every lady got cheated. In dating, most parties were masked.

12:53The girl is so nice. In dating, her voice just like music. But after wedding, out of sudden, these musical girls senders! This sucks! Husband to death! Lord, have I made a mistake? Is music so musical? The Lord says, this is your choice. And so many wives, after marriage, found out, they all got cheated. In dating,

13:54a mass is there. You thought this young man is a hero, at least a gentleman. But after wedding, living together for three months, I sure in no doubt have made him a big mistake. What they do, do the best by the grace to subject yourself to your own husband. And the same thing, don't love other ladies, love your own wife. Francis, as it turns out, I happened to have two daughters in my house that are both involved in courtships and both have upcoming marriage plans. And so I've been giving them advice that I believe I heard witness Lee say it in a message some years ago, but it's right along the line of what we're hearing. And that is that during this period when they're just kind of dating, courting, getting to know one another, it's good to have your eyes wide open. You want to see everything you can about this other person. But as soon as you take that step and tie the knot,

14:58then you close your eyes for the rest of your marriage life, don't you? That really is good advice. I had a phone call just a couple of days ago from a brother, a young brother in another locality, who had fallen in love. And he was wanting some advice of how he should proceed. I really was hesitant to give him much advice, but I asked him to keep his eyes on God's intention on what he had given himself to and to be considerate of God's purpose in all his relationship, not be carried away by emotion. But I think what you've given here is very good. And that is to keep your eyes wide open during the courtship time and then be willing to be blind to all these things that you thought were certain way. They turn out to be different. Better forget that. So this is really not so easy. But once the choice is made, as Bradley said, that's your choice. And we stick with it, and this must be it.

15:59And then it's a matter of that grace of life entering in to get us through the hard spots that are no doubt there. Interesting. Both Paul and Peter insert this word own. That one little three letter word conveys thousands of words of meaning, doesn't it? Submit yourself to your own husbands. Love your own wives. Yes. It's very limiting. And it must be so limiting if there's to be a peaceful situation and enjoy the grace of life. Francis, I want to read now if I could a few of these verses that we're talking about in chapter three. I think the portion that's ahead in this last section is very, very meaningful to us. And especially to all of those who are married among us or those who would like to be or are considering being. Again, in verse one of chapter three, Peter says that even if any disobey the word, this is talking about the husbands now. And it implies an unbelieving husband. If any disobey the word, they will be gained without the word through the manner of life of their wives. Seeing with their own eyes,

17:02your pure manner of life in fear. Verse four, but the hidden man of the heart in the incorruptible adornment of a meek and quiet spirit, which is very costly in the sight of God. And then, verse seven, the one we have been focusing on here, somewhat today, husbands in like manner, dwell together with them, according to knowledge, as with the weaker female vessel, assigning honor to them, as also to fellow heirs of the grace of life that your prayers may not be hindered. These verses all part of this marvelous section in chapter three, dealing with the marriage life, really presenting it in a high elevated way, doesn't it? It certainly does. And it really applies to both partner for him to love her, is to love his own wife. And for her to submit, is to submit to her own husband. And you've already covered that matter, but this matter of a life that really is the preaching of the gospel to the partner is very, very important. A woman,

18:06even though she may be a weaker, as it says, yet she is living a life that is really under the control of the spirit. And this way, she is really preaching the gospel to him by her living. And even if he doesn't believe in the word, he will believe her conduct. He will believe her living. And this can bring him to the Lord and to life. Wow. Let's go back to when I sleep for this last section, Francis. That even if any disobey the word, that means the word of God, they will be gained without a word from God, through the manner of life, of their wives. No one can inspire your husband so much as you can do. Not through preaching, just through a manner of life. You have to live a manner of life to

19:09inspire your husband, verse two, observing your pure manner, your husband observes your pure manner of life in fear. Why your life is so pure? A can of a cheese, holy and pure man of life, who's adorning, but it not be the outward plating of hair, and putting on of gold, or closing which garments, not this kind of adornment, but the hidden men of the heart. What is the hidden men of the heart? That is a meek and quiet spirit. That is the adornment. And that should be the adornment of all the wives. Now the husband in that manner, this bothers me.

20:11How so servants subject themselves to the master and wives subject to the husband? No, husband subject themselves to whom? My opinion is subject yourself to your wives. And I believe Peter means this. Then you say, oh brotherly, your teaching is altogether contradictory. Well Paul didn't say clearly that the husband should subject to the wife, but Paul did say clearly, husband, under your wives. Inefficians, not only the wives should honor the husband, but the husband should also honor the wives, not only so. Even Paul says, eventually, in Ephesians 5, Paul says, you all have to submit yourself one to another. So you people who are

21:14concerned so much for the human right. Don't think the Bible is not so wise as you are. The Bible is wider. The Bible always keeps everything balanced. I tell you, the proper practice these. The wives should respect and subject themselves to the husband, to the husband, you have to subject yourself to your wife. Francis says, you look at this verse, it begins as he said, husbands in like manner. It is a little bit ambiguous. It's not so clear exactly what the like manner is that's being applied to the husband, but we've just heard his opinion. I would have to say from the 30 plus years of marriage experience that I have had, I tend to agree with his opinion. I have no question about my wife's being subject to me as her head, as her husband, but I know our marriage works best when

22:17there's a kind of a mutual honoring, a mutual respecting, and a mutual submitting one to another. How about your experience? I can certainly say that with many years of married life, I feel like we really miss the boat. If we husbands have an idea of being superior to our wives and being the boss of the house, there's a sense in which decisions have to be made by the husband. And in that sense, she should submit herself to her husband. But in the sense of human beings enjoying the grace of life, if they don't mutually honor each other in this matter, then there can be nothing but trouble. But I can testify that to have a wife that really honors me. And I feel I'm learning to honor her in the same way. Then this gives a real balance to God's word. And the God's word is always balanced. And especially in this matter, we need to see

23:18the balance. So the husband doesn't run off with the authority and try to be something that he really wasn't intended to be. But he could honor his wife and enjoy with her the grace of life. We both have the same life, the same Savior, the same overseer, and the same marvellous God in us to be our shepherd in every way to bring us on in this life. And this way, if we honor this in one another, we will have a pleasant, enjoyable sharing life. You know, as the head of the household, the head of the marriage unit, as the head of the family, we do bear a responsibility as the males. But again, in my experience, Francis, when I am living in subjection to the Lord as my head, I find that the submission part for my wife becomes much easier for her for my kids, even it seems like for my dogs and cats, if I'm living under a kind of a headship and a kind of a proper submission to the Lord as my head, the order just seems to be a lot easier to maintain.

24:21Well, our children are all grown, so we don't have that kind of balance as a frame of reference right now at this time. And I don't have any dogs and cats, so I do believe that what you're pointing out is very real. If there is that proper submission on our part as husbands, there will be a much easier way for the wife to be subject to us if we are subject to her and give honor to her. Well, Francis, I think I come away with this more inspired, particularly as a fellow heir, really pursue this matter of the grace of life in all of our relationships and all of our contexts and all of the environments that we find ourselves in. Good to have you participate and be a fellow pursuer of the grace of life with us today. Thanks for coming. Thank you very much, Chris. It's always a joy to be with you. We hope you would contact us to get the printed life study messages. Actually, we covered two life studies on this matter of marriage today. If you'd like to get the two life study messages, we'll actually get all of them for first and second Peter. You can do so. Our toll free number,

25:24if you'd like to find out about how to receive these printed volumes is 1-888 life study, 888-543-3788. We'll return tomorrow. We continue in our life study of first Peter for Francis Ball and Chris Wilde. Thanks very much for listening today. To receive a free catalog of Living Stream Ministry publications, call today toll free 1-888-543-3788.