Husbands, Love your Wives

When God in His Sovereignty created all things, He ordained four institutions. He ordained the Home, the Government, the Church, and work. He ordained all four of these areas to assist us in bringing Honor and Glory to His name. “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16 ESV) In order for Satan to accomplish his work, he sets out to destroy those four areas. The first area that he has sought to destroy since the beginning of time is the home. In order to destroy the home, he attacks the marriage and husbands in particular. In today’s culture, the institution of marriage is considered something that can be easily got out of and not taken seriously. The divorce rate is astonishing. According to CDC, 3.6 per the population of 1,000 people end in divorce. The divorce in North Carolina is 3.8 per population of 1,000.

One key area that we as believers are for husbands is to love their wives. (Ephesians 5:25-26) How are men to love their wives? How did Christ love the Church?

First, the love that Christ showed for the church is a “Sacrificial” love. This is the kind of love that always gives. It is the same word we see in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Note two important words: Loved and gave. True biblical Agape love always gives. How can a husband show his love through giving? It is a selfless love. It is the kind of love that puts him last and others, especially his wife, first. It is a giving love. He gives of his time, money, and him last. It is a committed love. He is committed “for better or for worse.” He is committed in thought and action. It is a unconditional love. He loves his wife with no strings attached.

Secondly, it is a pure love. (Ephesians 5:26-27) Christ died in order for the church to be set apart, clean, without a spot or wrinkle and holy with no blemishes. Are there any perfect marriages? Of course not. A marriage is two sinners coming together. But it must be our goal as husbands, to have a marriage that is clean and pure.

Thirdly, it is a caring love. (Ephesians 5:28-30) As Christ cares for the church, so must we as husbands care for our wives in the same manner. We must nourish and cherish our wives. We feed clothe and nurture our wives. We treat with tenderness, warmth, affection and appreciation.

Lastly, we are joined together in love. (Ephesians 5:31) How are we joined together in love? We are joined in three ways: Physically, mentally and spiritually.

Husbands, do you love your wives as Christ loved the church? Do you share God’s presence together? Do you share in your salvation and sanctification? Do you share in your church attendance, bible reading and study and witness for Christ together? If not, start now. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7