Many people are struggling in their marriage, of which happens more often than not when one or both people are not seeking the Lord daily or living for Him also. However, God wants to fix these types of marriages. Even in Ephesians, chapter 5, He helps us know how marriages can be saved. If husbands and wives have faith in God, then they need to apply the principles in this chapter in their lives. So to begin, Paul said, “wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:22-27) This is the perfect order in marriage. The women voluntarily submit to their husbands, as the men submit their lives unto Christ. Even as Christ reverences the Father in all that He does. This doesn’t come easy, but only when husbands love their wives and wives respect their husbands can there be a lot less headaches and arguments. If the love of the Lord is in our lives, then we ought to show this love and respect unto our spouse the same way.
Paul further taught, “so ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Ephesians 5:28-33) Most women love it when their husbands are showing them the love they need each day. Husbands that do this are also honoring God in the way they treat their spouse, just as they would want to be treated also. Even as we nourish our own bodies with good things in life, we treat our wives in the same way. Speaking of marriage, it was always God’s will for a man and a woman to leave their father and mother and to be joined together in marriage. This is speaking of sexual intimacy, not just getting along. Where our flesh becomes one with our spouse in sex. These interactions should become natural. Lastly, husbands are to love their wives, while wives respect their husbands. Respecting is also showing love. Allowing God to be a daily part of our life helps this come to pass. Make time for God and He will help you in ways you did not think were possible.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that marriages will be restored to what they were supposed to be in Your eyes from the beginning. So often we lose sight of what You can offer us and try to fix things on our own. And when things start to spiral out of control is when I know I had a hand in it. I could have had Your guidance and direction on things, but instead, I took control. Forgive me, Lord. I do not know what is best for this marriage on my own and can only help lead it in the ways of love and respect if You are continually leading me. Please take the wheel and allow me to be led by You, even the most High. I long to have the respect and love in my life from my wife each day, but that can only happen if I can do the same for her. So may my actions be loving and respectful to the uttermost. Not just to my co-workers and friends, but to my wife, whom I spend the most time with. Help fix things that are broken now in the marriage. Many times we argue over things that are not important in the long run. Fighting never is the answer and I pray that we will instead give ear to each other when we are speaking. That if there is a problem or concern, we can talk it over with respect. Each spouse needs to know when there are problems in the marriage, so that things can be worked out for Your sake. But help us do this with You leading our hands and feet. If it is my ways and not Your ways, then things will only get worse. And help me to be more open to what my wife says. I love You. Amen.
