Mutual Obligations
83
that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word.” Jesus gave Himself up to die upon the cross in order that He
might cleanse and keep us from all sin and pollution by the influence
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of the Holy Spirit
Mutual Forbearance Is Needed—We must have the Spirit of
God, or we can never have harmony in the home. The wife, if she
has the spirit of Christ, will be careful of her words; she will control
her spirit, she will be submissive, and yet will not feel that she is a
bondslave, but a companion to her husband. If the husband is a servant
of God, he will not lord it over his wife; he will not be arbitrary and
exacting. We cannot cherish home affection with too much care; for
the home, if the Spirit of the Lord dwells there, is a type of heaven....
If one errs, the other will exercise Christlike forbearance and not draw
coldly away
Neither the husband nor the wife should attempt to exercise over
the other an arbitrary control. Do not try to compel each other to
yield to your wishes. You cannot do this and retain each other’s love.
Be kind, patient, and forbearing, considerate, and courteous. By the
grace of God you can succeed in making each other happy, as in your
marriage vow you promised to do
Let Each Graciously Yield—In the married life men and women
sometimes act like undisciplined, perverse children. The husband
wants his way, and the wife wants her way, and neither is willing to
yield. Such a condition of things can bring only the greatest unhap-
piness. Both husband and wife should be willing to yield his or her
way or opinion. There is no possibility of happiness while they both
persists in doing as they please
Unless men and women have learned of Christ, His meekness and
lowliness, they will reveal the impulsive, unreasonable spirit so often
revealed by children. The strong, undisciplined will will seek to rule.
Such ones need to study the words of Paul: “When I was a child, I
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spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when
I became a man, I put away childish things.
6
Manuscript 17, 1891
.
7
Letter 18, 1891
.
8
The Ministry of Healing, 361
.
9
Manuscript 31, 1911
.
10
Letter 55, 1902
.