Picturing God in Marriage

When I think how much I love my wife, how much I love spending time with her, how much I want to please her, how much I want to show her I'm with her, I think how much more so with God and His bride (the Church). I am a finite creature with a limited capacity of love due to my sinful natural abilities, and I love my wife like crazy. How much more does a perfect loving God with no limits love His people? Wow, it blows my mind when I think about it. That's why every time I read this verse, I am both convicted and in awe,

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).

Wait, wait, I'm supposed to love my wife As Christ loved the church? My goodness, it seems like an impossible task. That is infinite love. Yet this is the command. Thus the conviction. My goodness, I love my wife so much, how much more does God love me? Thus the awe. I think God gave this command for a few reasons, but one reason was this; Marriage is to show the world how much God loves His people. When you see a husband working 40, 50, 60, or more hours a week to provide for His wife, we are to see a small glimpse of God's dedication to provide for His people. When we see a husband at the side of his sick wife's bed caring for every need, we are to see a small glimpse of God's tender care for His people. When we see a husband embrace his wife with a sweet hug, we are to see a picture of Christ's affections for His people. These small glimpses of love are to show us how big God's love is.

What's the point? Husbands love your wives. Love them with an unconditional kind of love. Care for their needs, show affection, work hard for their well being, and always be their for them with an unselfish motivation. Or as the verse puts it, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her." It;s a high calling, and such an important one. When we love well, then we represent God's love well. When we poorly love our wives, then we picture God's love as poor and lacking. Show the world a glimpse of God's love by loving your wife as you ought to love her.

#Marriage #Lasting #love