Christ’s Love

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.  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.1

 

While talking with a friend about marriage and my role to love my wife like Christ loves the church I had a revelation.  The bible tells me that it is by Christ’s stripes that I am healed.2 Does that role also apply to husbands?  I get the sense that it might although it raises a lot of questions.  Does my wife’s health reflect how well I am fulfilling that role?  If so, what are my stripes?  Have I been avoiding them?  How do I identify them?  Clearly I don’t fully understand my role as a husband.  Thankfully through the word and the Holy Spirit I am learning.  While reading the other night I came across Pr 17:22, which I think may have application.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.3

 

Consider:  Life is in the blood4, the blood is made in the bones.  Could it be that a crushed spirit ~ broken heart is included in my responsibility as a husband?

Is a this not a lot to consider and bring to the Lord for clarification?

My Prayer:  Lord, this is a heavy thing to consider; the thought that it might be truth frightens me.  Please teach me the truth and give me the grace to embrace truth and live it out.  Amen.

09.08.11

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dale

A man, husband and father, struggling to be a blessing in the lives of others.

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