I remember as a fifth grader crying over Mitsy when she died.  Mitsy was a three-legged black cocker spaniel who was my play-mate and rabbit hunting companion.  I was a child then, but I have come to know men who have also wept over their dead or dying dogs. 

I can remember sitting in the snow as a grown man, weeping beside Lady’s doghouse, with my hand on her still warm but dying body.  Lady was our family dog.  She was also my dog.  She was an extremely intelligent, beautiful, black Labrador who was devoted to me.  I picked her from the litter of pups and it seemed as if she never forgot that.  When she died, it broke my heart.

I weep easily, but I think most men don’t.  I have often said that when God squeezes my heart, tears come out of my eyes.  Every good gift comes down from above, including the faithful companion that a dog can be.

In our culture, seeing a weeping man may be startling or even embarrassing to many.  So, why do grown men cry over their dying dogs when nothing else on earth seems to move them?  Why will a stoic, unemotional, unmovable man allow the death of his dog to make him so vulnerable?

I think it is the unconditional love, faithfulness and loyalty that a man finds in this four-legged creature known as man’s best friend.  Everyone craves this kind of love, but very few find it.  When a man discovers unconditional love in his temporary relationship with his dog, a man’s heart tends to break when it ends.

Someone reading this right now is probably asking; Surely the writer is not going to compare God’s love to a dog’s love!?  No, there is no comparison.  God’s love is unfathomable, and it is permanent for those who trust Christ as their only hope of salvation.

We might however, consider comparing our love for God to a dog’s love for his master.  Makes us look bad, doesn’t it?

 If ye love me, keep my commandments.  John 14:15

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

An idol is anything that takes the place of God.

How does a husband submit to his wife when he is supposed to be in a position of spiritual leadership?  The answer to that question is simply by loving her according to the Scripture. 

Ephesians chapter five says that a husband is to love his wife: 1) As Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it; 2) As he loves his own body; 3) As he loves himself. 

Wow!  Three word pictures for the husband and only one word picture for the wife.  You know what they say; a picture is worth a thousand words.  Maybe this explains why our wives have the capacity for so many words.  Perhaps it just takes more words to get through to us.

Men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.  What does that look like?  Probably the best way to see it is to just list the characteristics of Christ’s love for the church and then ask oneself if these are the characteristics of my love for my wife.

Here are a few of those characteristics that were listed by an adult Sunday School class I taught many years ago in southeastern USA:

Sacrificial love – Christ laid aside the use of His attributes, left heaven, made Himself of no reputation and laid down His life for the church.  When a man takes a wife, his priorities should change.

Unchanging love – He chose the church and He loved her first.  He loves even when that love is not returned.  He will never fall out of that love.  Christ abideth faithful.

Communicating love – God gave the church His written Word.  He listens to our prayers and answers them.  He guides us by His Holy Spirit and He fellowships with believers throughout the day.

Nourishing love – He is always available to us.  He is always ready to strengthen and enable us.  He is the God of all comfort to us.  He equips us and grows us into His image.

Forgiving love – He washes us and cleanses us as we confess our sins to Him.  His mercies are new every morning.

Chastening love – He corrects and chastens His own.  He teaches  and admonishes us by His Spirit and through His Word.  Whom the Lord loveth, He chastens.

Shepherding love – He leads us and directs those that are His throughout life.

Secure love – Nothing can come between us and the love of God.  No man can pluck them that are His out of His hand.  Christians are God’s children and nothing will change that.

Here are some characteristics of a man’s love for his own body.  He takes care of his body in the following manner:

A man likes his body to be well fed.  A wife and mother raising children will often neglect herself by taking care of everyone else’s needs first.  A loving husband will see that her needs are met.

A man likes for his body to be well rested.  A wife and mother raising children will often fail to get needed rest.  A loving husband will allow her to rest by taking over or sharing her duties when necessary.

A man likes for his body to be well groomed and clean.  A wife and mother raising children may not have time to give herself physical attention.  A loving husband will make sure that she has time.

A man likes for his body to be well dressed even if its only for comfort.  A wife and mother raising children may very well spend any funds she has on the needs of her family.  A loving husband will see that she has the resources and time to dress herself comfortably, attractively, and adequately.

A man likes for his body to be secure, protected and not unduly stressed.  A wife and mother raising children may live in a house that does not offer security, protection and freedom from stress.  A loving husband will see that the place where she spends the bulk of her time is functionable, comfortable, convenient and secure for her.

Here are some characteristics of a man’s love for himself:

Fulfillment – Purpose and achievement.  A wife needs to see gratitude for the oft perceived as menial tasks performed daily that keep the household and family on track.  A husband’s career goals may need to be put on hold for the good of the family.

Respect – Accepted for who he is and what he does.  A wife needs to be accepted for who she is and what she does.  The husband should teach and require his children  to respect their mother.  The husband should be the model of respect for his wife to his children.

Recognition – Value placed upon his role as a provider.  A wife and mother needs value placed upon her, for her many roles and responsibilities.

Security – A faithful wife, paid bills, and a plan for the future.  A wife needs a faithful husband.  She needs a husband in whose priorities, love, wisdom and provision she can trust.

I recall the words of a pastor from years gone by who said; If a wife knows her husband loves her, I believe she would live with him in a shack!  I wouldn’t put her in a shack to find out.  It would be wiser to just love her as instructed.

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways!

Note: These lists are not intended to be exhaustive.  You should make your own lists and keep them nearby for periodic review.

If you are an unbeliever, you will not be able to have biblical love for your wife or husband.  This Spirit filled submission to one another is only possible for believers, because it is supernatural or God given.  This is just another reason why a Christian should marry only in the faith, to one who is trusting Jesus Christ as his/her only hope of salvation.   An unbeliever cannot love you in this God given way.   A prospective mate’s claim to be a Christian should not be taken at face value.  There should be evidence.  The manifestation and observation of evidence should take time in order to be credible evidence.

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

Jesus is instructing His disciples on how to pray in Matthew 6.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

What is God’s will?  Let’s consider the obvious from Scripture.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

If you are not a Christian, if you have not repented and trusted Christ, then you are not in God’s will.  What does it mean to repent?  To repent means to change one’s mind; to change one’s mind about your sin (sin separates one from God); to change one’s mind about who Jesus is (He is God); to change one’s mind about what He did for you (He died in your place); to believe in His death, burial and resurrection (not yourself or the church); to change one’s mind about trying to earn salvation (it is a gift); to change one’s mind about who to trust for salvation (trust Jesus Christ and His merit alone).  Changing one’s mind results in a change of direction.

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain (to keep oneself) from fornication* (illicit sexual intercourse, including adultery): That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel (exercise self-control) in sanctification (separation unto God through Christ as a result of obedience to His word) and honour (a valuing); Not in the lust (desire in an evil way) of concupiscence (to set one’s heart upon), even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother (stir up a desire in another that cannot be fulfilled biblically) in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such.                             I Thessalonians 4:3-6

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: I Peter 2:11-15

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.          Romans 12:1-2

Jesus speaking: For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. Mark 3:35

Note: When we pray the disciple’s prayer,…in earth as it is in heaven, we are asking for the salvation of the lost on earth (there are no unbelievers in heaven), we are asking for purity or the righteousness of Christ (nothing sinful or defiled shall enter heaven), and we are expressing thanksgiving for whatever happens on earth (there are no  ungrateful ones in heaven).

*Fornication as a general term includes all sexual immorality.

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

What is commonly referred to as the Lord’s prayer is actually the disciple’s prayer.  The Lord’s prayer, His intercession for His disciples and for us, is found in John 17.  In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus is instructing His disciples on how to pray as follows:  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come,

God’s kingdom is His rule in the hearts of men now.  It is also the future rule of Christ during the Millennial Kingdom on earth.  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Kingdom or basileia is primarily an abstract noun denoting sovereignty, royal power, and/or dominion. It is the territory or people over whom a king rules. The Kingdom of God is the sphere of God’s rule, but since this earth is the scene of universal rebellion against God, the Kingdom of God is the sphere in which, at any given time, His rule is acknowledged. It is important to note that God has not, in the face of human and demoniac rebellion, relinquished His sovereignty, but has declared His purpose to establish it.*

The fundamental principle of the Kingdom is declared in the words of the Lord spoken in the midst of a company of Pharisees, “the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you”, Luke 17:21. That is, where the King is, there is the Kingdom. Thus at the present time and so far as this earth is concerned, where the King is and where His rule is acknowledged, is, first, in the heart of the individual believer.* Christ in you, the hope of glory!

God calls upon men everywhere, without distinction of race or nationality, to submit voluntarily to His rule. Entrance into the Kingdom is through the new birth, John 3:3. Nothing that a man may be by nature, or can attain to by any form of self-culture, avails in the spiritual realm.*

Concerning the future, the Lord taught His disciples to pray, “Thy Kingdom come”, where the verb is in the point tense, precluding the notion of a gradual progress and development, and implying a sudden catastrophic event, II Thessalonians 2:8.*

Concerning the present; that a man is of the Kingdom of God is not shown in the punctilious observances of ordinances, which are external and material, but in the deeper matters of the heart, which are spiritual and essential; “righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”, Romans 14:17.*

Outward trappings do not a kingdom make.

*W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words; pg 344 & 345.

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

What is commonly referred to as the Lord’s prayer is actually the disciple’s prayer.  The Lord’s prayer, His intercession for His disciples and for us, is found in John 17.  In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus is instructing His disciples on how to pray when He instructs them as follows: 

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed (set apart) be thy name.

When God called Moses to deliver the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt, Moses asked God; Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name?  what shall I say unto them?  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:13&14.

We may ask, what’s in a name?  What does the name I AM teach us about God?  I AM is present tense.  With God, there is no past or future.  He sees all things in the present.

God has always been and He always will be.  He is eternal and infinite.  We are not.  Time is just a parenthesis in eternity.  Time is a created thing with a beginning and an end.  God is not confined to time.  He created it.

God lives outside of time and outside of the universe in the third heaven.  The universe is His tent.  He observes and controls everything within time according to His purpose.  We are created beings, confined to time and the physical, but God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.            John 14:1-6

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

What is commonly referred to as the Lord’s prayer is actually the disciple’s prayer.  Jesus is instructing His disciples on how to pray in Matthew 6.  The Lord’s prayer, His intercession for His disciples and for us, is found in John chapter 17.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven….

Who can say God is my father?  God is the father of all those who have been born again.  This is a spiritual birth.  Everyone has been born physically, but those who have repented (changed their minds) and believed in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, by grace through faith, have been born again.  Jesus explained in John chapter 3 that unless one is born again, he or she cannot see the kingdom of God.  I Peter 1:23 states it this way; Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.  Romans 10:17; So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Some believe that God is the father of all mankind and in a sense, as Creator of all, He is. But Jesus made a distinction when He addressed the religious leaders of His day.  Jesus said; Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts (desires) of your father ye will do (John 8:44).  Again, in the same chapter Jesus declares; He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God (John 8:47).  God is not the father, therefore, of those who will not hear His Word.

On the other hand; But as many as received him (Jesus Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  John 1:12&13

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba (papa), Father.  Galatians 4:6

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

It is too easy for believers to take a light view of confessing our sin. It’s true that the confession of sin is taking God’s side against ourselves.  It is true that confession is saying about our own sin the same thing God says about it, but there is a deeper element to confession of sin. The deeper element is searching our own heart.

The difference between confessing sin and searching the heart is kinda like the difference between tilling or plowing the ground. Tilling is dealing with the surface.  Plowing is going deep and turning the ground over.

The surface part of confession is recognizing our sin when it happens.  The turning over of the ground, the plowing part, is recognizing that there is a deeper root problem within that produces the surface sin.

For example, when we get angry about something, what produces that anger?  I’m not talking about righteous anger.  I’m talking about the thing that pulls our trigger.  Are we proud or impatient?  Are we prone to road rage?  Are we judgmental and condescending?  Are we biased toward others?  We should be asking God to show us what produces our anger.

Is it enough to till it under by naming it as sin?  If we are hungering and thirsting after righteousness, we will plow the depths to find the root cause for that particular sin.  What bubbles to the surface should be called what it is, but there should also be a concern about what is producing the bubbles down deep in the heart. 

I am convinced that we take for granted our thought patterns.  Why do we think the way we do?  Is it because for as long as we can remember it has been this way?  What settled that thought pattern?  Was it the culture?  Was it something that grandma or grandpa always said?  Was it an attitude fostered in our community or in our school or church?   Is it the result of family pride?  Is it a biblical thought pattern?

Plowing the depths is indicative of a hunger and thirst for  righteousness.  Judicially Christians stand justified before God dressed in the righteousness of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  As we experience spiritual growth and practical righteousness, we should find ourselves increasingly concerned about how indwelling sin affects our deepest motives.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Psalm 139:23&24

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

Those that believe in works salvation often refer to James 2:20 (faith without works is dead) as a rebuttal to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone.

  This verse in James doesn’t change the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone, not at all (Ephesians 2:8&9).  James is saying that if anyone has saving faith there will be evidence of it.  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17).  James is also saying that anyone who claims to have faith without any evidence or fruit of it, his/her faith is dead.  Works are evidence of salvation, not the cause of it.

Saving faith trusts the merits of Christ alone.  His perfect life fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, which we could not do.  His substitutionary death on the cross paid our sin penalty, a debt we cannot pay.  The Lord’s declaration from the cross; It is finished….and His resurrection from the dead completed the work of salvation. 

God offers to us the righteousness of Christ, which is the perfect gift of salvation, to all those who accept the sacrifice of His Son as God’s provision for our sin.  This gift includes forgiveness and eternal life which is received by grace through faith.

Grace is God’s enabling.  No man can come to Christ unless the Father draws him.  Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based on hearing the word of God.

And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he (God) counted it to him for righteousness.  Genesis 15:6

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.  Romans 4:4-8

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.  For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5:1-5

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:10-14

 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18

 Are you a debtor to the law or are you a recipient of His grace?

Note:  But what about all the verses that mention judgment according to works?  There are two things to understand here.  In Scripture there are two judgments.  The Bema Seat is for believers.  Believers will be rewarded in heaven according to their works on earth which include faithfulness and stewardship.

The Great White Throne Judgment is for unbelievers.  They will receive degrees of punishment in hell based on their works on earth which include consideration for the amount of truth rejected and  opposition to the truth.

The difference between believers and unbelievers is that believers have accepted God’s provision for their sin; Jesus Christ, our only hope of salvation.   Unbelievers have not.

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

What is commonly referred to as the Lord’s prayer is actually the disciple’s prayer.  Jesus is instructing His disciples on how to pray in Matthew 6.  The Lord’s prayer, His intercession for His disciples and for us, is found in John 17.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.      John 1:12&13

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Galatians 4:6

Hallowed be thy name.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  Exodus 20:7  (Jesus is God.)

 Thy kingdom come. 

God’s kingdom is His rule in the hearts of men now and the eventual earthly rule of Christ in the Millennial Kingdom.  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  Revelation 22:20

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.     Psalm 40:8   What are we praying for?   How is it in heaven?  In heaven there is no sin.  In heaven there is perfect submission to God.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:30-33

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  Matthew 6:16&17

And lead us not into temptation, 

          …the believer’s desire to avoid the dangers of sin altogether…*       Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.  Psalms 27:11   

but deliver us from evil:

…to drag out of danger, to rescue, to save…**

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever.

Amen!  Matthew  6:5-13

*NKJV MacArthur Study Bible – See note on Matthew 6:13.

**Zondervon’s Analytical Greek Lexicon, pg 360 – rhuomai