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worshipper · 08-13-2008, 10:55 PM

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Originally Posted by Bondman

HUSBANDS and WIVES

It appears that hubby is what I'd probably call "dug in" as to what he feels is his role in the marriage. HE'S CERTAINLY NOT ALONE!! - but is standing with many millions of other Christian husbands with a wrong understanding of what the Scriptures really say. For example we could ask concerning Ephesians Ch 5:21 submitting to one another in the fear of God, "What is it about "submitting to EACH ANOTHER" that you don't understand? But of course we WON'T ask him that, because it would be as unloving as it would be futile and VERY counter-productive. We could also ask: "Is it a pure ACCIDENT that God just 'happened' to write this particular verse (v. 21 above) - not just close to all the instructions as to the roles and relationships of husband to wife, and not just as a part of the instructions, but EXACTLY PRECEDING THE WHOLE LOT OF THEM? I don't think so!!!

Good question.

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Then we could go to v. 25 where the Lord issues to us husbands a command that's utterly mind-blowing in its intent, and which I've always said was FAR HARDER to do than a wife submitting to her hubby: Ephesians Ch 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

My dh says that he does JUST that; but there have been a few times; not in the past few years, that I actually said to him "If God/Jesus loves me like you do, and if I wasn't already saved, I don't think I would be interested"

The Lord continued to show me His love through His Word and encouraged me to love my dh with the love that He had given me through Jesus. That is the ONLY way.

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Let's ask a few very pertinent questions here. 1. How does Christ love His church? - TOTALLY!! 2. How MUCH does Christ love His church? - so much that He SACRIFICED His life for her!! 3. How does He treat His church? - He loves and cares about us all SO MUCH, giving Himself completely to us in order for us to grow to be like Him. 4. What is Christ's focus concerning His church? - it's TOTAL and it's CONSTANT and it's COMPLETE, loving us and ALWAYS wanting the very, very best for us. 5. What is Christ's aim and purpose for His church? - v. 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish, i.e., that through Him, the church should be able to grow to nothing short of perfection, and that's the reason for His astonishing LOVE for church that He has!

Thank You Lord for Your amazing love for us and the patience to teach us and mold us into the likeness of Your son by using our marriages and spouses to help us be more like You.

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And thus a husband is to give himself to His wife to the same extent and way and to the same end. FURTHERMORE, ALL OF THAT IS JUST A SMALL PICTURE OF THE LOVE I AM COMMANDED TO HAVE FOR MY WIFE!!!!! I told you that husbands have the tough task!! So can you wives demand - or even suggest - that your husband should treat you this way? NO!! Treating you right is something between him and God. You have YOUR OWN TASK. You must get on with that. In the same way can we husbands demand - or even suggest - that our wives submit to us? NO!! You submitting to us is something between you and God. We have OUR OWN TASK. We must get on with that.

I pray that we all see ourselves in these words and trust the Lord to do the work in our hearts that we all need.

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Of course it's not only fine but a good thing to talk together about these matters - but it takes TWO to discuss. If one is unwilling in any way, then stop right there, and simply pray for him or her. "I pray now for those who are having problems in their marriage, Lord. May each one of us be living in our marriage close - really close - to what YOU say! Please help us all to this end!"

- BM

[/quote] AMEN...

"Lord, We will stand in faith and continue to love our spouses as they are; as You gave them to us and we pray that both ourselves and our spouses will be obedient to Your word in ALL ways..." :Pray:

Thank you Bondman...