25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:22-33.
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There is so much in today’s Scripture about which one could write. “Limited Atonement” and “Preservation of the Saints”, the “L” and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation” come first to mind. One could write about the relationship of Christ to His Church being described as the marriage relationship between husband and wife. One could write about the different roles and duties of a husband and a wife. And, there are additional profitable things in today’s Scripture upon which to meditate and write. This introduction not only provides an “excuse” for me to write about one topic among many, this introduction also illustrates the richness of God’s Word.
Today, I want to write about the phrase: “cleansed her by the washing of water with the word“. The Word of God cleanses us. We take a shower or bath every day. Why don’t we read God’s Word every day?! And, the Word of God does more than cleanse us.
For today’s devotion, I want us to meditate on the following verses which teach us about the Word of God and what it does for us. Hopefully, this review will encourage us by what the Word of God can do for us. Hopefully, this review will motivate us to read God’s Word and meditate upon it and abide in it.
“As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 18:30
“In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Psalm 56:4
“The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130
“He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.” Proverbs 16:20
“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Proverbs 30:5
“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8
““For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2
““Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” Jeremiah 23:29
“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 12:28
“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”” Matthew 4:4
““Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25.
“But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”” Luke 11:28
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 