Saturday November 18
Bible Reading: Eph. 5: 21 - 33
Topic: The Ideal Christian Marriage
In
these verses, Paul gives us the blueprint for Christian marriage. Its
foundation is mutual submission (v. 21).
Within
that framework, there are roles for the husband and wife.
This
passage shows with absolute clarity that the responsibility for a good
Christian marriage rests with the husband.
Just
as the Church submits to Christ as its head, the wife should submit to her
husband as there can never be two captains in one boat (vs. 22-24).
Such
submission is so powerful that it can win an unbelieving husband to Christ (1
Peter 3: 1-2), so wives must take this responsibility very seriously.
The
husband, however, has the responsibility to love his wife as Christ loves the
Church.
He
must recognize that Christ’s love for the Church is tender, caring,
longsuffering and sacrificial.
As
a result it washes and cleans the struggling Church till He presents her
spotless to His Father.
No
matter what the cultural expectations and practice are, the husband must
recognize that Christ’s example transcends all these and he must strive to
emulate this love in his relationship with his wife.
The
couple that heeds these instructions will experience an ideal Christian
marriage that is without blemish, holy and blameless (5: 27).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help
every couple to build an ideal Christian marriage in Jesus name. Amen.
Memory Verse Eph. 5: 33
"Nevertheless let
every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife
see that she reverence her husband."
(The Daily Devotional Guide of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion)
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