A Giving Love
He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Ephesians 5:28
Read 1 John 4:7-21
By considering the relationship between Christ and His Church, husbands can know how they ought to treat their wives. The Lord loves His Church— not because she is so attractive. On the contrary! God revealed His love towards His people by sending His Son to die while they were yet sinners! (Romans 5:8)
Christ did not love His Church because she was perfect, but He loved her so that she might be made perfect in and through Him (Ephesians 5:27). This is worth emulating. A husband should exercise much patience towards his wife. This requires loving commitment in spite of her weaknesses. A husband must love his wife in a self-sacrificing manner, not a demanding one. The husband is called to fulfill his headship role with care and moderation. Peter calls husbands to live with their wives according to knowledge. In other words, they are to live with their wives in an honourable manner (1 Peter 3:7). For, a wife is like a frail and weak vessel, and if he does not handle her tenderly, she will be damaged. By living carelessly with his wife, he will damage his own spiritual life (1 Peter 3:7).
Is this perhaps the reason why you are lukewarm, spiritually speaking? It is extremely necessary that Christ be present in a marriage! His love brings a radical change in people’s lives. Anyone living out of Christ’s merits will die to themselves. God’s grace completely changes both men and women, and that gives an unnatural perspective, also in married life.
Thought: The wife is the weaker vessel; therefore, deal kindly with her.
Psalter 369: 1,2 (based on Psalm 133) How pleasant and how good it is When brethren in the Lord In one another’s joy delight, And dwell in sweet accord. Such love is like anointing oil In consecration poured; Such love is like the morning dew, With sweet refreshment stored.