May 4, 2016

Legendary coach John Wooden said, "The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." The apostle Paul would agree: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her"(Ephesians 5.25). 

Per the model of Christ, husbands have an especially challenging role. Christ's love for His church is anything but selfish; it is sacrificial. Any wife who is loved this way by her husband will have no problem with her role of submission (Ephesians 5.22). The challenges arise when either or both roles are out of sync with the biblical ideal. And yet, the directive remains: wives are to submit to their husbands, and husbands are to sacrificially love their wives. These are not conditional; based on our spouse properly assuming his/her role. They are absolute: whether reciprocated, or whether we wish to or not. It's the standard for marriage that works.

Many lament the myriads of problems plaguing our society today, and ponder solutions. A great many could be resolved if husbands and wives lived according to the biblical standard of marriage. Within that environment, children would receive healthy nurture, and avert later problems and crimes that arise from dysfunctional home life.

Marriage, at its best, becomes a model of Christ and the church. Perhaps Christ and the church become more appealing to others when they see it magnificently modeled in marriage.

Husbands and wives, may our marriages be a blessing to our children and grandchildren, and positively impact our culture
. 
 Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
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