THE PLACE OF RESPECT IN MARRIAGE

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: THE PLACE OF RESPECT IN MARRIAGE

Respect –
Mutual respect is fundamental for any marriage that expects long term success. Several passages speak about this matter. Let’s consider a few today.

Eph. 5:22-24 – These verses have been among the most loved and hated of the New Testament. Some men love to hang these verses over the heads of their wives and demand that they fall down before them in obedience. Some women read these verses and feel that they make the wife inferior to the husband. Neither interpretation is correct.

God is not establishing the husband as some kind of dictator in the home. Nor is God relegating the wife to a place of servitude. The word “submit” means “to arrange under”. The truly spiritual wife recognizes God’s order in the home. She understands that it is a reflection of God’s order in the church. Jesus is the head of the church and we are to submit to His headship. The husband has been given the responsibility of leading the home and the godly wife follows the husband’s leadership willingly and humbly.

The husband is not to demand submission from the wife. She is to offer it freely and lovingly. This submission is to her “own husband” only! Women are not subservient to men. They are equals, even in the home. But, God has invested leadership in the husband and he will be held responsible for the home. He will give an account for his actions as the head of the home when he stands before Jesus.

Eph. 5:28-29 – I willingly submit the Lordship of the Jesus in my life because I know He loves me. I understand that He gave Himself to save me sacrificially, willingly, lovingly and unconditionally. I respond to His love by submitting to Him. The same is true in the home. When the husband loves His wife sacrificially, willingly, lovingly and unconditionally, she will respond by respecting him.

The reason some wives have a hard time submitting to their mates is because the man is anything but Christ-like in his love for her! Ladies, this is no excuse for rebellion in the home! You are told to “submit” without respect to how he acts toward you. Even if your husband is lost, you have the duty of submission, Ill. 1 Pet. 3:1-6. Men, your wife will be more likely to follow your lead if she knows you love her with every fiber of your being.

Verses 28-29 teach us that the husband is to love his life like he loves his own flesh. Husbands are to “nourish” their wives, and they are to “cherish” their wives.

LET US PRAY
IN JESUS NAME, LORD HELP US TO FOLLOW YOUR FOOTSTEP AND MAKE US A LOVING SPOUSES IN JESUS NAME.

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Good morning friends