Comparing Spiritual with Spiritual - Continued*

      We are continuing in the Book of Ephesians as we learn to compare these verses with confirming scriptures. Ephesians 5:21-25 begins by comparing the relationship of marriage between a man and a woman with Jesus Christ and the Church of believers with the husband as a sacrificial head of the marriage, willing to give up his life for his wife, as Jesus was willing to do for the Church, and the wife as being submitted (hypotasso - be subject to, to yield to one's admonition or advice, as a military term to arrange divisions under the command of a leader, an attitude of cooperating in carrying a burden) to her husband, as the Church is submitted to Christ: "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head (kephale - the head, Christ as husband of the Church, the corner stone) of the church: and he is the saviour of the body...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."

     The headship of Christ over the Church, as a husband over a wife, has the purpose and result of sanctifying (hagiazo - to purify by expiation (by the blood): making free from sin, renew the soul, dedicate to God, to separate from profane things) and cleansing (katharizo - to cleanse, as a leper is cleansed, to purify from wickedness) of the Church "with the washing of water by the word, that he might present (paristemi - to place beside or near, to stand beside) it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (v. 26-27). Jesus is the Word that sanctifies and cleanses us.

     Paul then referred to these verses from Genesis 2:21-25 as he described our relationship with Christ: "And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

     This describes our unity with Christ, and also our unity with each other as parts of His Body with Him as the Head of the Body. (compare with Rom. 12:4-5, 1 Cor. 12:12-28).

     As Paul wrote about the husband and wife marriage relationship as being like that of Christ and the Church, Paul also wrote about those in subservient positions, and how they should regard their relationship with those who have authority over them as being a reflection of their service to Christ in Ephesians Ch. 6.

     The first relationship mentioned is that of child and parent. Children should not disobey parents, as is written in The Ten Commandments, and fathers should not provoke their children to wrath, but bring them up " in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (v. 1-4).

      As Paul wrote of children, he wrote that servants should be obedient to their masters also, serving them loyally as unto Christ, not as men-pleasers but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men. This kind of servant will receive of the Lord. As Paul warned fathers, above, masters should also treat their servants not with threats, but knowing that they as masters also have a Master in heaven. (v. 1-9). Slavery does not still exist in our nation today, but slavery was part of the society in the time of Paul's writing. However, we are to treat our employers as we would serve Christ, and employers are to treat their employees with fairness and not harshness. The Lord as the Master of all is coming with His rewards to give to men according to their deeds. The Lord rewards those who are obedient to His principles. (compare with Rev. 22:12).

     Finally, Paul wrote of where our strength and defense come from, and it comes from and of the Lord, and not ourselves. He has called us to be strong (endynamoo - be strong, endure with strength, made strong, be empowered and enabled) in the Lord, and "in the power (kratos - force, strength, dominion, a work of power, a mighty deed) of his might (ischys - ability, to hold in check, forcefulness, might)." (v. 10). Compare the principle in this verse with Isa. 35:3-4, Isa. 40:29-31, 2 Cor. 12:9, and Phil. 4:13. 

     As our strength, power and might come from the Lord as the verse says above, so does the spiritual armor with which He supplies us. Paul wrote: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities (arche - beginning, origin, principality of angels and demons), against powers (exousia - power of choice, power of rule or authority), against the rulers (kosmokrator - lord of the world, prince of this age, the devil and his demons) of the darkness (skotos - darkness, misery in hell) of this world, against spiritual wickedness (poneria - depravity, iniquity, evil purposes and desires, evil plots/pain, anguish) in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Eph. 6:11-13).

     This armor of God provided for us consists of having our loins "girt about with truth," having the breastplate of righteousness (of God), our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith that quenches all of the fiery darts of the wicked, the helmet of salvation protecting our minds, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (v. 14-17). Comparing spiritual with spiritual, we can also find elements of the armor of God in Mt. 6:33, Rom. 3:23-26, Isa. 52:1 and 7, Isa. 59:16-17, 1 Thess. 5:8-11, Heb. 4:12-14, Rev. 1:16, Rev. 2:16, Rev. 19:14-16.    

     Paul also included the command that accompanies the armor of God given to us: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (v. 18). The armor is essential as we pray - especially for the saints. Many believers in Christ are currently suffering persecution and dying in various nations for their faith. All of the saints need our covering of prayer, especially in these days when wickedness has increased against faith. Paul also tells the Church to pray for him that he may speak boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel. (v. 19-20). The Gospel of salvation, which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life, is a mystery that had been hidden for ages but is now revealed and made known to man. (compare with Col. 1:25-29). Prayer should be made for all who preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

     We are to be one, one Body, united with each other and in Christ. We are to be Christ-like in our faith, and in our ways. The Word of God is not a storybook, but it is the truth that leads to salvation and sanctification. The Word of God confirms itself as we compare spiritual with spiritual. The Word of God is the Person of Jesus Christ, as the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and is returning very soon.

*Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 11/30/25 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on the Facebook page of Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr. Dr. Stevenson's video messages are also found on You Tube at the Kenneth Stevenson channel. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook. Also the book NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling, written by Dr. Stevenson, is available on Amazon.