Marriage, Like Christ and His Church

Paul, in Ephesians 5, talks about the relationship of a man and his wife, and how it is similar to Christ’s relationship with His Church.

Christ is the Head of the universal Church (Eph 5:23), and the Church is subject to Him. After all, Christ paid the ultimate price for the sake of the Church; He bore the wrath of God on Himself on the cross so that the Church (the collective members of the Church, that is) could be forgiven of sin. It seems to me that submitting myself under the authority of Someone who loves me so much that He would give His own life for me is a natural and joyful thing to do.

And so Paul says that the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the Head of the Church. Wives are to submit to their husbands… This is by God’s design, and is based on the order of Creation. There would be no problem if a husband would love his wife to the same degree that Christ loves the Church. But that doesn’t usually happen.

This is the thrust behind Ephesians 5:22-33, summed up in the last verse: “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Love and respect – this is the heart of the issue.

What women need is love. Men need respect. Problem is, men aren’t so hot at loving, and women sometimes are found lacking in the giving-respect category (not that we men give them much to work with!)… Thus Paul’s repeated reminders here: Man, love your wife! And Woman, respect your husband!

It’s an amazing cycle actually… as the husband feels respected by his wife, his honest desire is to love her more and more. As the wife feels loved by her husband, she naturally wants to build him up with respect. It’s totally a win-win situation.

So why don’t we do it?? When I feel disrespected, why do I respond with anger and hate? Do I really think that is going to draw out expressions of respect for me from my wife? Of course not. Instead, I have to make the conscious choice to love even if I am feeling disrespected, and eventually respect will come. Same goes for women… not feeling loved? Try some respect, and surely love will be returned eventually (if not immediately).

 

What do you think? Have you experienced these feelings yourself? Do you think these principles from Ephesians 5 can help your marriage? I’d like to hear about it…

In Christ Alone

 

Easter is upon us, and no song helps me reflect on the wonders of the resurrection of the Lord better than this one... it is our favorite.

You can listen to it here... 

http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-inchristalone.aspx

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music