July 29, 2009
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"How to save your marriage"
I saw this article today on CNN.com-- "How to save your marriage" . Seems like everyone's getting into that endeavor these days (trying to help failing marriages), and for good reason, seeing all the divorces. The article had some common-sense stuff. But they missed the most powerful stuff, because they are secular and because part of the quote I'm about to post is extremely politically incorrect.
Ephesians 4:22-33
22"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
25"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members of His body. 31For this reason "a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
33"Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband."
It is difficult to explain how extremely attractive a quality submission is in a wife... the desirous/nurturing feelings it evokes in the husband, etc... and how the opposite is also true- insubordination powerfully quenches loving feelings... I expect that the same is true for the other side, that a loving husband evokes happy contentment and submission in a wife and that an unloving husband encourages rebellion in the wife.
God, as the creator of men and women, certainly writes a good user manual.
Comments (2)
Tim! This is so true. Just had our five-year anniversary. My spouse has really turned up the Ephesians 4:22-33 attitude in the last six months. It makes it so much easier for me to play my part. Proper treatment of one's own role really seems to encourage and strengthen the other. We are far from perfect for sure, but despite our imperfections, it works, it really does! SomeOne knew what they were talking about, glory be to God!
You are absoluetly correct, it is easy to submit to ones husband when they are loving. Insubordination shouldn't be an issue when ones husband is in a close relationship with Christ and seeking His wisdom in the direction of the family. I must add I am most attracted to Robert when he is acting in an obedient manner to Christ (i.e. studying the Word, teaching Sunday School, ect). A lot of times women get caught up on the submit as being enslaved to ones husband, but if ones husband is in a right relationship with Christ that is not the case at all. A godly husband will discuss issues with his wife, value her opinion and then seek ultimate counsel through prayer and the Word. At the end of this if Rob and I still have differing opinions it is very easy for me to agree and move on. I find most of our conflicts arise when God's wisdom is not saught out.
Ah--Marriage is both wonderful and challenging at the same time, I am so thankful God wrote the best self-help book out there.
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