Read

Ephesians 5:25-30, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of his body.”

Think

Love is far more than a noun — it’s an action-packed power verb. Love doesn’t call us to sit around and just watch something unfold; it requires participation! In the role of marriage, God calls husbands to a higher standard to take a greater level of action. He is the leader of the marriage and home.

Ephesians 5 paints a beautiful picture of just how a husband must love his wife; he is to love her just as Christ loves the church – both selflessly and sacrificially. As Christ’s love provides us with a great sense of security, a husband fulfills his wife’s greatest need as a woman — to feel safe and secure.

A godly husband’s highest marital priority is nourishing and cherishing his leading lady! In the original language, to nourish and cherish were agricultural terms. So, think of it like this: Husbands, you are the greenhouse for your wife. You are to feed, protect, keep her warm, and help her grow into who God has created her to be. What an incredible and mighty responsibility! Husbands, it’s time to step up and be your woman’s superhero – a sacrificial, selfless servant whose love for his wife mirrors the love Christ has for us!

Act

Men, challenge yourself to be an Ephesians 5 husband. This week, consider ways to show your wife you love and cherish her. Whether you choose to make it simple or delightfully complex, just remember that love is a verb — it requires action.

Pray

Dear God, Thank You for the opportunity to put my love into action. Help me love like Christ loves the church. What a great example! In Jesus’ name, Amen.