Marriage Matters, Pt. 3

Men, what a responsibility God places on us to be the sacrificing husband who lovingly blesses his wife's spiritual walk with the Lord, so she is made more like Christ.

Marriage Matters, Pt. 3

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."

(Ephesians 5:25-27)

Before we get to the teaching directed to husbands, the Scriptures teach wives in Ephesians 5:33 that you are to respect your husband. You crave love more than anything from your husband, and he craves respect. In Ephesians 5:33, the word translated "respect" is phobeo, which means to revere, venerate, and treat with deference. The idea is that the wife shows respect to her husband and honors him, even if he does not deserve it. It is not a slavish fear that is being espoused, but a respect for the one in the leadership role.

Husbands, contribute to your marriage with agape love. In our biblical text for this week's devotions, Paul says (present active imperative) that we are to love (agapao) our wives. Then he appeals to the highest act of love ever demonstrated: as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her. I have yet to meet a wife who did not gladly follow and submit to a husband who loved her with this sacrificial type of love that puts her needs above his own.

The band For King and Country has a song entitled, "The Proof of Your Love". Here are some of the lyrics: "So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love. Let my love look like You and what You're made of. How You lived, how You died; love is sacrifice. So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love." I love that line "love is sacrifice," and that is so true for agape love; it is not a touchy-feely physical or emotional feeling; it is a love that gives, and it stays; it is unchanging.

In Ephesians 5:26-27, we see another way that Christ loves His church and how husbands should love their wives, and that is with a purifying love. Jesus saves us through the washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, as stated in Titus 3:5, and He washes us through the word, according to Ephesians 5:26. He is preparing His bride, so she is radiant at His second appearing. The Greek word translated "washing" is loutron, used only here and in Titus 3:5. Before the bride was presented to her husband, it was customary for her to take a cleansing bath and then be adorned in her bridal garments. (See F.F. Bruce's commentary, The Letter to the Ephesians, p. 387.)

Men, what a responsibility God places on us to be the sacrificing husband who lovingly blesses his wife's spiritual walk with the Lord, so she is made more like Christ. Men, are you purifying your home, your wife, and your children with the Word of God and prayer? Do you lead as the spiritual leader and priest in your home so that all in your house are drawn closer to God by your influence and actions?

I am praying for you that You would truly love your wife with this agapao type of love that sacrifices for the blessing and benefit of your wife.