‘For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” ‘ Ephesians 5:25-31(NLT)
Husbands, love your wives. If I were sending an old fashioned telegram, this is where I would say, “Stop.” You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to get this. It is all about L-O-V-E. Husbands, that is your job.
Now here is where it gets tricky. In the Greek, the verb love is in present tense, which means it is a continuous action. Before I lose you guys, let me translate: You have to keep showing her love. Christ came into this world with intention and purpose – to show us His love. He came to sacrifice. His actions and His words demonstrated His sacrificial love. You must be intentional and purposeful or YOU WILL MISS THE MARK.
Scripture sets the example, because dealing with the opposite sex can be tricky. We are created differently. Therefore, if a man follows the Apostle Paul’s example, “Love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her,” he will be connecting with her on the right level. Go for it guys, and be prepared to be amazed!
Pray today for intentional and purposeful demonstrations of love in your marriage.
from Happy Marriage, Happy Home