Now, how are we to have a successful marriage?
Ephesians 5:22-33
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
There is not too much spoken here to the women, but they are to submit to their husbands, which represents the relationship between the church and Jesus. We are to follow Jesus even if there is foreseen harm ahead, or persecution. Many times wives see bad decisions and may try to protect their family from the consequences but disrespect the husband while trying to protect. This causes more harm than good. When a man is allowed to lead his family, he is fulfilling the way God designed him. I realize this is controversial and I know this is an extreme example, but it sets the tone for the heart.
Husbands, a lot is directed at us men: LOVE your wife by surrendering our own life for her. That means laying down our selfish desires, protecting our families, and looking after them as we do our own bodies. Are we willing to deny ourselves that time in the park sessioning jumps and rails so we can spend a little extra time with the family, or maybe surrender that powder day so that our wife can see an act of surrender for her? Ouch!
Husbands are also called to lead the family in following Jesus. There are many different avenues this goes, such as studying the word, praying, doing ministry, our actions, making godly decisions, etc.
Do you lay down your life for your spouse or are you prepared to if you are thinking about marriage?
Men, do you study the word so that you can lead your family in following Jesus?
By Andy Finch | Truckee, California