The Message of Marriage

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:25-32

It is so interesting to note that those who oppose the institution of marriage often attempt to use Scripture to support their position. Often it is claimed that the Bible teaches from a man’s viewpoint and thereby demotes the status of women.

Nothing could be further from truth. When a Christian husband follows the New Testament teaching on marriage, he increases the self-esteem and worth of his wife. The net result is a woman who has an unmovable confidence in her relationship with her husband and whose “emotional cup” is filled to overflowing.

Paul puts a lot of responsibility on the husband, but he does it with one word - love. The role of the husband is to be carried out under the direction of the Spirit of God and according to the admonition to love his wife.

Christian husband, are you devoting yourself to showing love toward your wife in every matter you face, every hour of the day? “What is love?” you ask. Love is giving yourself in service to your wife with a servant spirit. Under that definition, do you qualify as a loving husband? Will you commit yourself to becoming that kind of husband?

“Love...bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Cor. 13:7