Hopefully my title got your attention, but before you bash me or praise me, hear me out. I have read discussions around the blogging world, and have discussed the topic of wives submitting to their husbands with different men and pastors. I see a lot of theological debate about this topic. I see people using big words like complimentarianism etc. I see them hotly debating the meaning of the Biblical text and what the role of the wife should be according to the Bible. These debates are mostly between men, but women often give their thoughts as well. The point is, I see this discussion being had by men. What I don't see is them discussing how they can do a better job of loving their wives like Christ loves the church.
As a husband my instructions are clear. I am to love my wife as Christ loved the church.
As a husband my instructions are clear. I am to love my wife as Christ loved the church.
Eph.5:25 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.
I believe that if men would wholeheartedly submit themselves to this instruction the rest would take care of itself. That does not mean that wives will always get it right even when we as men show Christ like love. However, Christ didn't wait for us to get it right before he loved us with His perfect love. No in fact he died for us when we were yet sinners, when we deserved punishment. Christ like love takes no account of how deserving your wife is of your love. It takes no account of mistakes made before, after or in the future. What it does, is sacrificially puts her on a pedestal washing her of any stain or wrinkle and viewing her without blemish. Men need to stop worrying about whether or not their wife is submitting to them. They need to start examining their own behavior toward their wife and determining how they can better show Christ like love to her. Men our instructions are clear. Let's stop trying to be men, and help our wives with their instructions and perfect ours. The rest will take care of itself.
3 comments:
Whew! Now that's some good preachin'
So, you have now mastered walking on water! 'Cause you have most surely stepped out of the boat at Jesus' command, and left the other, timid disciples behind. Now, don't look down, but keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. He bids you come to Him on His terms, so that you will be blessed & receive all that is promised to those who obey His Word. Your reward will be great!
Both you and your chosen mate will discover more of the God-kind of love to share with each other, your children & family, and your church community. God made man first, added a helpmate called woman, and put them together to have dominion over His creation, the earth. In this day & time, we can at least maintain that dominion over our home and relationship, making it a little bit of "heaven on earth". God has declared He will come and make his dwelling place with those who love Him and obey His commands. So with everyone in their right place, peace and harmony, love and joy will sustain, comfort and uphold your dedication to "be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One".
Say on, NT, and hopefully some men are really listening! I think you've got their attention now!
Pilgrim, Thank you. I appreciate your commentary, it's always so full of wisdom.
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