© 2014 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Young men sometimes solicit favors from young women. They say, “If you love me you’ll …” Such misuse of the word “love” is destroying our society. It has become victim to a multitude of couples whose only bond is a temporary erotic relationship. These relationships become baby mills which turn out children who never experience a stable family. Eventually, those children reproduce that cycle ad nauseam. “Do this if you love me,” is the wrong model for marriage!

Jesus demonstrated the correct model for marriage. It is summarized in His following statement: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Is your wife your friend? The following passage, from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, shows how God the Son demonstrated what true marriage is supposed to represent.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:22-27).

This passage makes it clear that God has assigned the headship role, in the family, to the husband. The husband is supposed to picture Christ in His headship over His church. Many men, however, emphasize their own role of headship, while ignoring their responsibility to exercise sacrificial love, as Christ did, in performing this headship role. Such sacrificial love was costly.

What was the cost of Christ’s love? Death! He sacrificed His life blood for His people! Husband! Have you ever considered the fact that your highest role as a husband is to picture Christ’s sacrificial love? Does your wife experience such a love by you?

Reader! Has Christ ever moved your heart with His love? Have you come to Him in repentance? Have you asked Him to save you? Are you subject to Him?

 

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