The Christian husband is the loving, servant-leader of his wife and family.
Ephesians 5: 25-33 (Message) says, 25-28 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything He does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.
29-33 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.
God designed men and women to fulfill specific roles within a marriage. According to God’s plan, being a Christian husband takes priority over being a father. God’s intention for marriage is that, after their relationship with Him (God), it will be the highest level of relationship possible between two people. A man and wife should cleave to one another in a way that nothing comes between them including their children. For this reason, the role of being a Christian husband is the most important position a man can hold. If it is done God’s way, the husband/wife relationship should reflect the Christ/church relationship.
The Christian husband is the head of the household. He is the spiritual leader in the home. Ephesians 5:22-23 (NKJV) tells us, Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is Savior of the body. The husband’s loving servant leadership sets the tone of the household. God calls your wife to submit to you, but you are NOT to run your house like a dictator. You should NEVER demand or force your wife to submit to you. You are not in a position of superiority, and your wife is not in a position of inferiority. Colossians 3:19 (NIV) says, Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them. You and your wife have different roles, but those roles have different worth and value.
A Christian husband is called to provide for his family. The Bible specifically addresses those fathers who do not provide for their family. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) says, But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Peter 3:7 (NIV) says, Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. When the Bible refers to your wife as the weaker partner, it is not implying moral or intellectual inferiority. Your wife is physically weaker, but she is also more sensitive, delicate, and fragile. She is always to be protected and handled with loving care because she is your precious, priceless gift from God (when you look at her, try to imagine a sign on her forehead that says ‘fragile, handle with care’). As a child of the Most High, she is the daughter of God. When it comes to her, God is your Father-In-Law, and He will not answer your prayers if you mistreat His daughter.
Christian husbands must recognize that loving your wife is and ongoing process. You must set your mind to maintain, develop, and work at your marriage for the rest of your life. To make sure you are on the right track, give yourself this daily test. Put yourself in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: I am patient, I am kind, I do not envy, I do not boast, I am not proud, I am not rude, I am not self-seeking, I am not easily angered, I keep no record of wrongs, I do not delight in evil, I rejoice with the truth, I always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere. LOVE NEVER FAILS. The daily application of this test takes time and energy, but it is worth the investment! 1 John 4:16 (NIV) tells us, And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. GOD IS LOVE. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him. As a man in the flesh, you cannot love your wife properly in your own strength and abilities. None of us can fulfill all of these requirements to love our wives. However, the Bible says “God is love” and “love never fails,” so doing things God’s way will never fail. You must pursue God and His knowledge, then pursue your wife and apply His knowledge. You must pray daily and ask God to fill you with His Spirit.
CONCLUSION
You will be living with your wife for the rest of your life. As you love her unconditionally, God is glorified, and you as a Christian husband will be a Champion of Christ and Living the Victory.
Go Live The Victory!
