July 5-11, 1999
Lesson Two Last week we looked at the twenty traits of an excellent wife as defined in Proverbs 31. We then ended our study by asking the question, "But who can be THAT excellent?" This week we will attempt to answer the question set before us and hopefully begin our journey together toward becoming an Excellent Wife. "Who CAN be that excellent? Many women have a desire to be the excellent wife of Proverbs 31. They just don't think it is possible, at least not for them.
These thirteen traits, however, can characterize any Christian woman's life. These traits are given in Proverbs as general truths. Any Christian woman who knows and obeys them can become a godly woman, an excellent wife! Her ministry can grow under the nurturing hand of a faithful and loving God because:
God has called every Christian wife to His excellence! Any flower can bloom when it is tended by God's hand. A wife's responsibility is to learn to put her confidence in the faithfulness of God and His Word--to do what He says. She can become what He wants her to become if she does what He wants her to do. There is no other way! But, there is one major problem to deal with first.... The Problem of Sin Sin is the only thing that will keep a woman from becoming a godly wife. Sin is lawlessness, a transgression from any of God's standards (I John 3:4) It is failing to trust in and do what God's Word says. Sin is wanting to do things her own way rather than God's way. It is presuming God will help her even when she is neglecting His truth. Sin is thinking she can get by without God's help. The bad news is that there are a number of ways to sin. The good news is that God Himself has provided a remedy for sin.
When a wife trusts in Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord, He saves her from sin. He frees her from the death grip of sin. She is no longer a slave to sin. "...knowing this that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with (rendered powerless), that we should no long be slaves to sin..." Romans 6:6 The Lord Jesus put it this way, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin...If, therefore, the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:34,36). There is help available for every wife's struggle against sin. The Help Wives Need If a wife truly is a Christian, God has provided everything she needs "pertaining to life and godliness." God has broken the grip of sin in her life, and He has given her the supernatural power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to enable her to obey His Word and submit to His way and His will. In the following lessons we will examine the details (specifics) of what God tells us in His Word, and how to apply what we learn to our lives and marriages. Further, Jesus told His disciples not to worry, because God the Father would send up help:
If this is true (and of course it is if the Lord Jesus is her Savior,) then... Wives Are Without Excuse Because God has so richly provided for a Christian wife in her battle against sin, she is without excuse. Her loving, merciful, and holy God has truly provided everything she needs to become a godly wife--to become the excellent wife that God wants her to be. And even when she falls short, she can be forgiven. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) The only question which remains is... Are You Ready to Begin? If you are, you may bow your head right now and confess to God that you have not been the wife God wants you to be. Ask God to help you by His grace to become the excellent wife He wants you to be. You might want to pray a prayer similar to the following one:
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