GOD’S DESIRE FOR HIS MARRIED SONS
God expects husbands to SACRIFICIALLY LOVE THEIR WIVES. Ephesians 5:25-33 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. … God says husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved us. Our example is the way Jesus loves us. He loves us unconditionally, no matter what.
Do you know the story of Hosea and Gomer in the Old Testament? Gomer was unfaithful to her husband Hosea. She had children by other men and left him to live with other men. Later, she was sold as a slave. Hosea went and paid the price to bring her back as his wife. God wanted him to show what God’s love was like. God was saying, “My love for you is unconditional, no matter what you do I’ll love you.”
I have heard men say, “If my wife was a better wife I’d be a better husband.” “When she changes some things then I’ll love her.” Is that what Jesus says to you? “When you are a better Christian and change some things, I’ll love you?” He loves us unconditionally, no matter what. He commands us to love our wives the same way. He wants us to realize how special and important our wives are to us.
Adam walked and talked with God before sin entered the world. But there was still something missing in his life. So what did God provide? Did He provide a job to work? Parents to care for? Children to raise? A hobby? No, He provided a wife because Adam needed a wife. In Genesis 2 God says “it is not good for a man to be alone” and He created Eve to fill up his empty spaces.
It’s not God’s will for everyone to get married. There are some He chooses to remain single, or be widows or widowers. In that, case He completes them Himself. For most people marriage is the way He accomplishes this.
The referenced text above says we sacrifice as Jesus sacrificed for us. What did Jesus sacrifice for you? He left heaven to come to earth. On earth He went through pain and rejection. He was crucified and suffered what we would have suffered in hell to pay for our sins. Did He do that for Himself? No, He did it for us. He sacrificed everything just for us. That’s how He wants us to sacrifice for our wives.
Does your wife know that you love her that much? Can your wife say, “I see Jesus’ love for me in the way my husband loves me”? That’s the way we are to love our wives. There is a cost to sacrificially serve. You sacrifice your time to help her and encourage when she is down. Listen to her talk about the things that are important in her life. Spend time going places and doing things she enjoys. Treat her like your best friend. Protect her from people who criticize or take advantage. Make sure your children obey and respect her. Meet her needs before your own. Initiate. Be the first to forgive and apologize. Initiate reading the Bible and praying together. God says your wife is your first responsibility and first priority in life.
Make sure she knows she is as important to you as you are to Jesus. It sets an example our children. A child never grows up insecure knowing they are #2 in the family to your spouse. It sets an example to others as they see your priorities. Following the example of Christ is the model that lays the foundation for loving relationships that honor Him.