LOVEBIRDS' DEVOTIONAL

Enriching Matrimonies

HOLINESS IN MARRIAGE (PT. 1)

By Anselm Ahman
Scripture:
‘BUT A CERTAIN MAN NAMED ANANIAS, WITH SAPPHIRA HIS WIFE, SOLD A POSSESSION, AND KEPT BACK PART OF THE PRICE, HIS WIFE ALSO BEING PRIVY TO IT, AND BROUGHT A CERTAIN PART, AND LAID IT AT THE APOSTLES’ FEET. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.’
(Acts 5: 1-11)

ONE OF THE CHIEF AIMS of God in calling us is that we grow to become a people who are not only redeemed but who consciously separate ourselves from Sin and live holy unto Him. And in this spiritual pursuit, Spouses who are both born again have the duty of helping one another. After all, “Iron sharpeneth Iron”!

In our anchor scripture passage for today, we read the tragic account of Ananias and Sapphira a couple in the early Church in Jerusalem who unfortunately connived to sin against God. They were quite saved but the fear of God wasn’t deep-rooted in their hearts. Consequently, they both decided to practice financial fraud against God. This resulted in their open judgement and disgraceful death.

Ananias and Sapphira are long gone but we have much to learn from what they did and what happened to them.

As a couple, it’s a blessing to be saved. Nevertheless, there’s the need to go beyond this and be a couple who live practical holy lives. Our form of Holiness must be that which is not only about dressing styles but encompasses the entirety of our lives and is evident in how we talk, walk and work.

Living holy on daily basis prepares us to be both spiritually alert and strong enough to resist fierce and tempestuous temptations. It’s likely that Ananias and Sapphira didn’t expect the financial windfall that came from their land sales. It might be that the land they decided to sell did so well in the market bringing far much money than they anticipated and the thought dropped in their hearts: “Isn’t all of this money too much to give to the Church? How about keeping something for yourselves? Remember that you have children.” And suddenly the noble thought that inspired their decision to sell the land in the first place was set aside and they chose to serve “king Self”. Of course, we all know the outcome. They were judged by God in the sight of the whole church.

As married couples, you are not in each other’s life for mutual support and romantic delights only. You’re in one another’s life as a Shepherds and Watchmen to sound the alarm and warn each other against excesses, against compromising, against lukewarmness, against dangerous flirtations with the opposite sex, against wrong and unsafe relationships, etc. You are to help your mate regain their proper bearing when they seem to be drift off.

There’s no doubting the fact that Ananias and Sapphira’s respective consciences warned them against keeping back part of the money. But they probably felt the opportunity of keeping part of the money was too good to be missed. Alas, they lost that money and everything else that they had and died in great humiliation.

If an unholy lifestyle brought Ananias and Sapphira to ignominy, we also need to be careful to ensure that we deny all unrighteousness, live godly from day to day and be content with what we have.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”(1 Timothy 6:6-8)

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”(1 Peter 2:9)

💕❤️ TONIGHT’S ONE FLESH ASSIGNMENT IN THE BEDROOM
Reread the devotional piece for today and discuss it’s message also.

❤️💕🍇 MARRIAGE REVOLUTION CONTINUES ON! LIVE HOLY EVERY DAY!!!💕💞❤️💕💞🤎💕💞💚🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇

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