Love as Christ loved

Our standard for excellence in all things is Jesus Christ our LORD.  He is the personification of all things good.  Jesus is the way and there are no other ways that lead to happiness and eternal joy and peace.  Jesus is life and there is no life apart from Him.  Through the power of the Holy Ghost, Jesus lives in us, if we invite him in as a bride invites her husband.  We are to be subject to Christ.  He has proven Himself to be the only true husbandman.  When men follow the lead of our LORD in their marriages, then their wives are blissfully happy and are led to Christ as well.

The instruction is a simple statement.  The more that we embrace it, meditate upon it, pray for help to apply it and fully understand it; the more greatly blessed we will be now and into eternity.

EVEN AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

We recently discussed the foot washing attitude.  Jesus in all things has shown us the WAY.  If we desire to be great, then we must become a servant, the lowest of servants; willing to love all unconditionally.  The section of Ephesians quoted above started out in verse 20, “submitting your selves unto each others…”  Our Christian calling is one of submission and service.  Jesus started by setting the example, He is the pioneer of our salvation.  There is no room for selfish, self-centered people in the Kingdom of God.  We are here for the LORD and Him alone.  That means seeking out the needy and helping them.  Jesus said that if we “do it to the least, we do it to Him.”

A joyous, happy and Godly home begins with both husband and wife submitting to the needs and desires of each other.  The husband is to take the lead by first loving his wife as Christ loves the Church and gave his life for her.  Wives are to yield to their husbands as Sarah yielded to Abraham and called him lord.  Men submit to Christ.  If we all strive to live by submitting to each other as unto the LORD, we would have peace and prosperity.

Once man got expelled from the Garden of Eden, he has had to struggle to survive.  Self preservation has made man selfish.  Self-centered thinking is disastrous in a marriage and every other kind of relationship.  Jesus has been eternally sharing and generous.  He was slain from the foundation of the world for you and me.  Jesus submitted to the cross. He wants people in His Kingdom who are like Him; submissive, loving and seeking others best interests.