SUNDAY July 7, 2024

The Pattern of Love

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

A husband’s duty is laid out plainly and simply––Husbands, love your wives… (Ephesians 5:25). I cannot say this enough; love your wife! If a wife feels loved, then she will naturally and willingly submit to your leadership.

Christ has set a pattern of love for the husband to follow: just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.... The word love in the Greek language is agapao, meaning “to love” in a social or moral sense or “to prefer, have a preference for, wish well to, and regard the welfare of.” This kind of love is seen through a husband’s actions toward his wife. Embrace God’s will by choosing to obey His Word to love your wife, unconditionally. When you become Christ-like you will genuinely care for your wife. One way to do this is to read the Word of God with her.

Symbolically, a marriage relationship is a picture of Christ and His Church––the Bride of Christ. Jesus takes care of His Church––His Bride. When you look at your wife, do you see her as the Bride of Christ? You must aim to love her just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25). Consider for a moment how Jesus sacrificially gave His life for His Church!

As a husband, it is important to die to self. Loving your wife means taking care of your wife’s needs. Again, Jesus is a pattern of self-denial for you to follow. Place God first in your life, and His Holy Spirit will enable you to sacrificially love your wife as Christ loved the Church.

The Christian should take nothing short of Christ for his model. Under no circumstances ought we to be content unless we reflect the grace which was in Him. As a husband the Christian is to look upon the portrait of Christ Jesus, and he is to paint according to that copy. The true Christian is to be such a husband as Christ was to His church.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!