‘As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.’ Ephesians 5:31-33(NLT)
‘Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.’ Hebrews 13:4(NLT)
‘But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. ‘ 1 Corinthians 7:2-6(NLT)
When people think of love and marriage, sex invariably comes to mind. This is understandable considering the fact that husbands and wives are the only ones permitted and encouraged by God to engage in sexual activity with one another. Funny, isn’t it? The human relationship chosen to represent Jesus’ relationship with the Church is the only human relationship allowed and encouraged to engage in sex. Why?
What in the world does sex have to do with Jesus and the Church? Good question.
Sex is the ultimate expression of eros, or romantic love driven by desire and passion. It requires emotional and physical give and take from both partners in order to satisfy mutual desire, making it the most intimate and personal expression of love that two human beings can share.
Your relationship with Jesus Christ as a member of the Church is one of mutual give and take also, intimate and personal. He gave first by dying on the cross for your sin and continues to give most through His Holy Spirit at work in your life. Although your eternal salvation is a free gift from God that can’t be earned, God does require your obedience in response to His amazing gift. To fully know and experience the love of Christ, you must put in emotional, spiritual, and physical effort. Just as His presence in your life brings you satisfaction and joy, your cooperation brings Him satisfaction and joy.
See? Jesus’ passion for the Church stirs Her passion for Him, and both are satisfied. It’s a holy union, just like the one you share with your wife.
Handled correctly and in the right spirit, the expression of eros between you and your wife can be uplifting, beneficial, and reassuring to both of you, a fitting celebration of your commitment to one another, one that portrays literally the figurative mingling of your souls that marriage is, speaks to the permanence of your relationship, and reflects Christ’s passion for the Church.
- Remembering that your marriage is a metaphor for the relationship between Jesus and the Church, why is it so important that you and your wife remain faithful to one another, emotionally, mentally, and physically?
- Is the way that you express eros to your wife selfless or selfish?
- Would she agree?
- Does the way that you interact with your wife physically glorify God?
Read Ephesians 5:31-33, Hebrews 13:4, and 1 Corinthians 7:2-6.
from Becoming The Husband She Needs