What practical steps will help me be a better spouse?

What practical steps will help me be a better spouse?

Grow spiritually. If the objective is to be a God-honoring spouse in a marriage that can then be God-honoring, a first requirement is spiritual living. This does not mean perfection, but submission to the Lord through obedience to His Word and communion with Him - daily reading and prayer. The Bible is not a manual on how to have a good marriage; it is food that enables spiritual living.

Forgive graciously. Forgiveness is a basic Christian grace (Ephesians 4:32)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:32). You may be very aware of your spouse's wrongs; however, the balance in your marriage between acts which you could forgive and acts for which you need to be forgiven is likely closer than you realize. Besides, the Lord has forgiven you far more sins than the wrongs done to you. Even when your spouse doesn't recognize wrongs done, a forgiving spirit doesn't require a penalty for those wrongs.

Confront effectively. Effective confrontation is a difficult but necessary art. Confrontation that creates alienation is not effective, but avoiding confrontation is self-serving and unkind.

Effective confrontation recognizes a behavior that is detrimental to the spiritual, emotional, or physical well-being of the spouse. For the glory of the Lord and the good of the spouse, effective confrontation finds an appropriate time to state some positive means for dealing with that behavior. Tenderness and meekness (Galatians 6:1)" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 6:1) are requisite.

D. Oliver
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Is salvation on a different basis in this age, being now by faith and baptism?

Is salvation on a different basis in this age, being now by faith and baptism?

The Old Testament nowhere suggests baptism is a condition for salvation, so that if baptism is necessary for salvation now, this must only be the case since the ascension of Christ.

In Romans 4," TARGET="_blank">Romans 4, Paul shows that justification is through faith by going to the Old Testament. Forgiveness for David and righteousness for Abraham came through faith apart from circumcision or the law (vv. 2-16). If these blessings are on a different basis now, namely faith plus baptism, why would Paul go to the Old Testament to support his teaching? We infer from Romans 4" TARGET="_blank">Romans 4 that in every age salvation is by faith alone and is not dependent on baptism, law-keeping, good works, rituals, or righteous living.

D. Oliver
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Do people in heaven watch us?

DEPARTED SAINTS AND EARTH

Do saints with the Lord “look this way” as the hymn says?

Are they cognisant of what is taking place on earth, as the hymn puts it, “Some one in glory LOOKING this way”?

I do not know any Scripture, which shows that those with Christ are cognisant of what is going on on the earth, or are “looking this way.” Samuel, when called up from beneath, as I believe he undoubtedly was, did not know why, but had to be told the circumstances by Saul (1 Samuel 28:15)." TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 28:15). He was not “looking this way,” he called it being “disquieted.”

The rich man in Hades did “look this way,” as far as remembering he had five brethren still alive, who, though he could not see them, he instinctively felt were on the wrong road. Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom, and gave no indication of “looking this way” (Luke 16" TARGET="_blank">Luke 16: From Ecclesiastes we learn that “the dead know not anything” Ecclesiastes 9:5)," TARGET="_blank">Ecclesiastes 9:5), that is, of world happenings; not that they are unconscious, but as v. 6 tells us, they have no more “a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”

If we take our ideas from hymns, we may get some strange ones; but if we disapprove of a hymn, it is better not to sing it, or else to omit the offending verse, than to tamper with it. It is a serious matter to tinker a hymn, without the author’s permission.

W.H.

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What are the marks of the Spirit

What are the marks of the Spirit’s leading in a meeting?

In light of the foregoing principles, our participation should make it easier for and encourage others to participate. What we have contributed should often become a building block that amplifies others’ contributions. If a deadening silence follows our participation, quiet submission to the Lord may produce an awareness of a wrong condition in the soul. If there is honestly no awareness of wrong, then we commit this to the Lord with a humble admission that we have tried to please him. A feeling of depression or elation that follows our participation may not be the most reliable guide. Being willing to wait God’s time for encouragement is essential. He will give the needed encouragement in His own way as well as through others, which is most valuable when it comes from respected believers.

We must move in the presence of God and not live for or by the praise of men. We nonetheless value others and want to move in fellowship with them.

D. Oliver
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Is Song of Solomon about the Church and Christ?

Who are the speakers in the Song of Solomon? Some say they are Christ and the Church; others, God and Israel. Who is the questioner in Song of Solomon 5:9" TARGET="_blank">Song of Solomon 5:9?

The Song of Songs is not, of course, a mere love-song; nor is it a song of espousals, but a marriage song. Certain companies of persons are introduced and take part in the dialogue, e.g., the watchmen, the daughters of Jerusalem; but the Bridegroom and the bride are the principals. Who are they? The Church was an unrevealed mystery in the Old Testament, so may safely be ruled out.

Surely there can be no doubt that we have in this Book, a beautiful picture of the affections of Jehovah toward the true Israel, and the response of the bride. “I am married to you, saith Jehovah” (Jeremiah 3:14)." TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 3:14). “Thy maker is thy husband” (Isaiah 54:5)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 54:5). The watchmen of the city seem to represent men of the world with no sympathy for the bride, while the daughters of Jerusalem may stand for nominal Israel. These distinctions being made, the inspired language of the Book fits in well with the affections of a believer to-day toward Christ, when enjoying communion with the “Lover of his soul.” The spiritual believer knows how to use the Book in this way to his own soul’s blessing and to the glory of Christ.

W.H.

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What does the baptism of Israel in the Red Sea mean?

HOUSEHOLD BAPTISM
Are those who teach what is known as “household baptism” justified in using the crossing of the Red Sea, referred to in 1 Corinthians 10" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10: as a type of Christian baptism, and in asserting that, as undoubtedly infants were carried across the Red Sea by their mothers, they therefore were baptised unto Moses, and so infants now should be baptised?

Certainly these friends must be hard put to it to find authority for their practice of baptising households to-day, if they have to go back to this far off Old Testament event to justify it. We are asked, moreover, to believe that had Moses and the elders held Believer’s Baptism, they would have been obliged cruelly to leave all the infants on the west bank of the Red Sea to the mercy of the pursuing Egyptians, on the plea that such were not fit subjects for baptism. I remember one well-known clergyman in Brighton (the “Reverend” H. B.), who wrote a tract to justify the sprinkling of infants, and he built his argument on the probability of the wind sprinkling the Israelitish infants, as they were carried through the Red Sea. It seems hard to believe that fancy could go further. We may be sure that no-one from Moses to the youngest Israelitish mother had the slightest idea that a figure of Christian baptism was being carried out during the crossing of the Red Sea.

But if for the sake of argument, all who shared in the crossing were baptised, then this was true of “the mixed multitude” and of the flocks and the herds. Perhaps those who christen bells and ships rely on this passage. We see, however, from Numbers 4" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 4 that the children did not count, but only those of Israel who were numbered “from twenty years old and upward,” for in verses 29 and 33 a difference is made between those who were numbered (v. 29) and their children (v. 33). Whereas the former (except Caleb and Joshua) would be excluded for good, all the children would be brought in when their fathers’ carcases were wasted in the wilderness. We may be sure that the infants no more shared in the baptism of the Red Sea, than in the daily eating of the manna and drinking from the rock that followed them. No doubt it is legitimate to see in the crossing of the Red Sea a figure of the death and resurrection of Christ and of believers’ association with Him, but it is not, properly speaking, a figure of Christian baptism, for that would be a case of a figure representing a figure. Rather what is set forth is what has already taken place for all believers, namely, their baptism in the Spirit. Christi n baptism is in no way in view in 1 Cor 10" TARGET="_blank">1 Cor 10 and it is a great mistake to think that wherever the slightly different word, “baptismos” that occurs in our Authorised (e.g., Mark 7:4, 8;" TARGET="_blank">Mark 7:4, 8; Hebrews 6: 2;" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 6: 2; Hebrews 9:10)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 9:10), The reference clearly is to the ceremonial purifications of the Levitical service.

William Hoste

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Should a Christian purchase insurance?

Be the first to give an answer to this question. Write an answer in the comment section below. Please provide your name and if you have a website or blog, be sure to include the URL and email address in your answer.

Answers will be reviewed.

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How much intimacy is appropriate for couples who are dating?

What activities and how much intimacy are appropriate for couples who are dating?

Christians should seek God's will for a life's partner during courtship. Dating is the time for learning to know each other and planning for the future. It is not (as in society) simply for a good time, or experimentation, or conquest.

Two words help answer our question: purity and modesty Paul instructed Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:2" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:2 to encourage "the younger (women) as sisters, with all purity." In Genesis 24:65," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 24:65, Rebecca, when about to meet her husband-to-be, "took a vail, and covered herself."

A young man should regard his intended as his "sister" during courtship. He should have genuine respect for her that will preserve from violating her purity. An embrace and kiss when greeting or parting is appropriate with his sister and is equally so with his intended. Their greetings may be more than a quick peck on the cheek but they should avoid any activity leading to greater physical intimacy. Both should dress and behave so as not to stir up strong desire in the other. Strong desire may lead to disaster and loss of purity. Couples should avoid circumstances or activities where they would be ashamed to be found. A good testimony is vital.

Couples need time together. Eating out, drives through the country and visiting points of interest afford suitable opportunities. Visiting older Christians will encourage them. The young may also gain insights of great value for their future together.

They need to learn each other's values, expectations and goals. They should recognize and make needed adjustments. These are easier to make during courtship than after marriage. Reading and praying together will promote spiritual bonding and growth and begin a good habit for a lifetime together.

J. Slabaugh

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Could you explain "captivity to the law of sin," Romans 7:23?

Could you explain "captivity to the law of sin," Romans 7:23" TARGET="_blank">Romans 7:23?

Four laws are in the passage.

   1. "The law of God" is spiritual, holy, just, good (verses 12,14), While the law cannot justify (3:20), in chapter 7 Paul demonstrates that the law cannot sanctify.
   2. "The law of my mind" (verse 23) consents that the law of God is good (verses 16, 18).
   3. "The law of sin" is a principle which opposes the expression of God's law in the life (verses 17-20), even though the inward man delights in it (verse 22), and the mind of the individual willingly desires to comply with it. Frustration and failure confront him at every turn. Thus hedged in, he finds himself taken "into captivity" as a prisoner of war by this sin principle in his members. The problem lies within self: "but I am carnal, sold under sin" (verse 14). Carnal self cannot be controlled by even a spiritual law. Deliverance is found alone through the resources of the risen, glorified Jesus Christ our Lord (verse 25).
   4. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (8:2).

W. Skates

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What does the parable of 10 virgins mean?

Will you please interpret the Parable of the Ten Virgins?

As in previous parables (cf. The Wedding Garment, Matthew 22)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22), the Lord Jesus stresses in this parable the need for keeping watch for His return (see 24:42, 44) as well as His rejection of unreality when He does return. Like the man without the wedding garment, the five foolish virgins represent those who expected to be in the kingdom but had never properly prepared. Although Paul uses the imagery of a chaste virgin in reference to the assembly at Corinth, the Church which is His body is seen as a unit (His Bride), not as friends attending the wedding or wedding supper, therefore the Rapture is not likely in view. Since this is part of an answer to the disciples' question in chapter 24:3 regarding the end of the age and the coming of the Son of Man, it would seem that this parable points to the advent of the Lord Jesus as King of kings, coming to establish His kingdom. During His public ministry, the Lord Jesus was often confronted by those in Israel who felt that, as a result of their natural links with Abraham, they held privileged ground (John 8:33)." TARGET="_blank">John 8:33). His warning to them will have its dire fulfillment at His coming when many "children of the kingdom" will be cast into outer darkness (Matthew 8:12)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 8:12).

E. Higgins

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