God’s Word to Husbands

How would you define love? Is love a verbal expression, an act of kindness, or a gift extended to another? Is love being willing to do what you do not enjoy in order to benefit someone else? Is love a natural flow from a heart that is full?

• “‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.'” John 13:34 (NIV)
• “‘By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.'” John 13:35 (NIV)
• “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)
• “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
• “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (NIV)
• “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

God’s Word to the husband is for you to love your wife.

“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.” Eph 5:25-27 (NIV)

Jesus is the model to follow. Jesus defined love by His willingness to die for the church and to rise again for the church. He gave His life so that we could live with Him eternally. Jesus is the ultimate portrait of unconditional love.

“In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Eph 5:28 (NIV)

Husband, do you love your own body and care for it? Just as Jesus loves His Body, the church, you are to love your wife as you love your own body. Loving your wife is not based on her performance. You don’t love your wife in response to her meeting your needs. You love your wife intentionally and unconditionally as a result of your love relationship with Jesus.

Any adjustments needed? There’s always room for improvement. I’m feeling this one!

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care