‘Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.’ 1 John 4:11-12(NLT)
‘And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her ‘ Ephesians 5:21-25(NLT)
‘So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.’ Ephesians 5:33(NLT)
‘This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. ‘ John 15:12(NLT)
‘Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.’ Ephesians 5:1-2(NLT)
‘But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.’ Hebrews 7:24-25(NLT)
‘May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:5(NLT)
Christ is the model for both of you as husband and wife. Look to Christ as to how to love one another in your God-given roles. Only from a deep, personal relationship with God can you love one another deeply from the heart.
Husbands, God has called you to love your wife with Christ’s love, leading the way to nourish and cherish her heart in protective love. Here are five ways to initiate protective love (5 P’s) to help you identify more easily what it means to love your wife as Christ loves her, choosing to express the gospel to her as Christ is the gospel to you: Pursue (to know her as a person as well as romantically), Protect (to come alongside and care for her emotionally), Priest (to pray for her), Persevere (to fight for her and your marriage), and Provide (to be responsible in financial matters in a way that cares for her heart).
Wives, here are five Respectful Responses in your love for your husband: respect (his person), affirm (his strengths and gifts), inspire (his dreams and desires), invite (him sexually), and nurture (him emotionally).
Reflection: You each have a unique role in God’s kingdom—honor and bless what God is doing in each of you, as you love one another as husband and wife. God knows that in this beautiful loving relationship of marriage, you are more able to fulfill your role in God’s kingdom. Consider what areas you need to allow God access to in order to help you love as Christ loves your partner. God’s all-sufficient grace will meet you in your greatest need.
from Daily Habits Of Marital Intimacy