Friday, December 23, 2011

Marriage, HELP! Part Two: Husbands



In Part One: Wives, we looked at what the Bible says we as wives should look like in relationship with our husbands.  That we are to submit to them in EVERYTHING and what this means is having an attitude of voluntarily giving in to the leading of our husbands and cooperating with them. Ultimately we are showing respect or reverence towards God when we do this.

Now what about our husbands?  Do they get to rule and reign over us like kings and us their domestic slaves?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  The Bible is clear as to how our husbands are to relate to us as well, and all of these guidelines are to bring about a marriage of unity that brings glory to God.  So let’s take a look…

Here’s what the Bible says:

Ephesians 5:25-29  
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— (NIV)

Then in Colossians 3:19
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. (NIV)

Finally in 1 Peter 3:7
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.  (NIV)

Here is the same passage in a more contemporary language found in the Message Bible-

7The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God's grace, you're equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don't run aground. (Message Bible)

Our husbands have a greater responsibility within our marriage.  They are to love us the way Jesus loves the church.  When was the last time you’ve seen God wrathful towards his believers?  Or when was the last time you’ve seen God belittling his followers?  How about when Jesus walked this earth?  -The answer is never.  Jesus came to serve, love and give His life up for His people.  This is the example that our husbands are to follow.  This is how our husbands are to love their wives.

I’ve been married for almost 19 years and my husband and I have known many married couples through those years.  Sadly, several have ended in divorce and two of the most common threads are lack of respect and the lack of feeling loved. Isn’t it interesting that most men will say that one of the most important things in their marriage that they could ask for is the respect of their wives and one of the most important things that women ask for in a marriage is to feel loved? Obviously this is why God gave us these guidelines to follow to keep our marriages healthy.

If you are reading this and you are the wife to your husband, then take my challenge from Part One: Wives. 

If you are reading this and you are a husband to your wife, then I challenge you to follow God’s Word and love your wife the way Christ loves the church.

God’s Word is not void based off of your situation.  His Word is truth.  It’s up to us to apply it to our lives for it to work in our lives.  So even if you have a rebellious wife that refuses to show you respect start praying for her and loving her and watch what happens.  

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