Study 4 – A Perfect Husband

We were not discharged from the Law to do our own thing, but so that we 'might belong to another' (Rom. 7:4). That person is Jesus.

There is a vast difference between the two husbands. Mr Law was harsh and overbearing. He wearied us with his demands yet offered us no help.

By sharp contrast, Jesus is gentle and humble in heart. He gives us rest for our souls, an easy yoke and a light burden (Matt. 11:29, 30). Our old husband gave us rules. Our new one gives us love.

Jesus, the bridegroom, left His heavenly Father and earthly mother to be united to His bride. He proved His love for us through His agonising death on the cross to win us.

His Father approves of His Son's choice of bride and confirms that we were chosen in Him before the creation of the world (Eph. 1:4).

We could not have a better husband. He shares His life with us and showers us with spiritual and material blessings. He listens to us and intercedes with His Father on our behalf.

We are joined to Jesus 'in order that we might bear fruit' (Rom. 7:4).

We could not do this when we were under law because the law is incapable of imparting life. If the law had been able to make us fruitful, then righteousness would have come by the law (Gal. 3:21). For instance, the law would have commanded, 'Do not covet,' and on hearing the words we would immediately have been released from all covetousness.

But the law can only declare, 'This is right and that's wrong,' and condemn us in the process.

Whereas the law is impotent, Christ is a life-imparting husband and very potent. At the beginning, God wanted Adam and Eve to 'be fruitful and increase in number' (Gen. 1:28). That blessing of fruitfulness now rests on Christ and the church.

Jesus' words are spirit and life (John 6:63).

As we live intimately with Jesus he completes our joy by making us fruitful.

To Meditate On

Jesus wants you to see Him as a life-giving husband.

'I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full' (John 10:10).

'The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life' (2 Cor. 3:6).

'His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness' (2 Pet. 1:3).

To Encourage

READ the following verses and note down the things that we receive because of this new relationship.

Rom. 15:13; 2 Cor. 1:4; Phil. 3:14; 4:19; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 3:1.

To Apply

READ John 15:1-8. How many times does the word 'remain' appear in the text?

Using a notebook write down three commands from God's Word and show how they will affect your life as you let them remain in you.

FOR EXAMPLE: 'Forgive as the Lord forgave you' (Col. 3:13).

APPLICATION: I will forgive everyone who has offended me and will not hold grudges against anyone who hurts me in the future.

Food For Thought

TURN TO a concordance and look up a selection of words about 'fruit', 'bearing fruit' or being 'fruitful'. See what you can discover from these.

WRITE DOWN what you think Jesus meant when He said that He wanted us to 'bear much fruit'.

WHAT HINDERS fruitfulness? How could you be a more fruitful Christian?

MEDITATE ON Psalm 1
Write down what God is saying to you through it.

Be Inspired

The man who delights in God's Word, being taught by it, bringeth forth patience in the time of suffering, faith in the day of trial and holy joy in the hour of prosperity.

C. H. SPURGEON
The Treasury of David Vol. 1

'He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?' (Rom. 8:32).