'HUSBANDS...LOVE YOUR WIVES'

I was at a men  fellowship some weeks back and we were sharing about the word in Ephesians (5:25) 'Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her'. The Leader of the fellowship then asked a question to the assembly; 'To what extent should we as husbands love our wives'?..All the responses to the question asked were quite interesting but one of the responses was of particular note and i would like to share perhaps someone might find it valuable.
This response from one of the brothers went like this; 'IT SHOULD BE THE NATURE AND NOT THE DUTY OF HUSBANDS TO LOVE THEIR WIVES' In effect what he said was that a Husband loving his wife should be on all occasions, unconditional  and for a lifetime; for a duty can be abandoned but something that occurs naturally cannot be discontinued or disrupted.

Dear Brothers, i have read this scripture before but i was seeing it in a new light now. There is valuable truth in knowing  that just as naturally as breathing comes to a living Human being so should a man naturally love his wife. This truth is further revealed when we consider how scripture compares the Love Christ has for the Church and the manner of love a husband is to have for his wife. (see Ephesians 5:25). 

So the question now is, how did Christ love the Church or to what extent was His love for the Church that we as Husbands may learn how we can Love our wives using Gods Love for His Church as a standard? The answer to that question can be found in (Romans 5:8) 'But God demonstrates His own Love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us'. Dear Friends, the keyword here is 'while we were still sinners'..he didnt condemn us but rather.. 'died for us'.

Brothers, just as the Church may not be perfect yet; likewise it is important for us to know that our wives too are not perfect just as we also are not perfect; yet we have been mandated to love them. It is generally agreed that our wives may sometimes provoke us to anger, argue with us and sometimes be self-centered; regardless of these shortcomings, if we are to emulate the example of God's Love for us..then we are to love them still.

I have disagreed and quarreled with my spouse times without number; there have been times i felt (perhaps she doesn't love me anymore)..I now understand that whether she loves me or not..it might not really matter; After all, the bible does not emphasize  that the wife should Love the Husband but rather that she should be submissive (see Ephesians 5:22).

In conclusion, i love my wife for at least 2 reasons among others: 1) it is the will of God for me to do so..Jesus said 'If anyone loves Me he will keep My Word (John 14:23). 2) it is in my nature as a husband to love my wife.

Finally brothers, i encourage you; the next time your wife provokes you or offends you; correct her lovingly, avoid aggression or physical assault. Overlook her little faults and errors  knowing you too have your weaknesses. Above all, Love your wife for it is an instruction from God.