S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Bible says enough about being a Christian husband that a book could be written about it all. In fact, a number of books have been written about it. This article gives a brief overview. Chapters...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Chris Eleam Chris Eleam

The Christian Husband
How exactly can a Christian husband apply the scriptural admonition found at Ephesians 5:25 which says “husbands continue to love your wives just as the Christ also loved the congregation and delivered up himself for it”? The example that Christ Jesus set in showing affection and love for his disciples is a model we should follow in dealing with our wives. Jesus showed deep affection for his disciples, in fact he cherished them, he was gentle and kind to them Jesus focused on the good qualities of his disciples, should not a Christian husband do the same for his cherished wife.

 The Council given at Eph 5:28-29 gives clear evidence of the depth that our feelings should be directed toward our wife's. “Husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies,” states the Bible. “He who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the congregation.”
If you had a fine home, several cars, took several vacations a year, anywhere that you wanted to go in the world, but yet were being neglected and ignored by your marriage partner how would you feel?  Christ Jesus expressed his love for the Christian congregation; the husband must show love for his mate in both word and deed, a wife will feel cherished and happy if she receives regular expressions of her husband's love for her. So then how does a husband show that he cherishes his wife? When out in public he introduces her to others in a dignified manner and openly praises her for her support. If she has played a key role in the success the family has experienced he will without a doubt not hesitate to make that known to others. A smile and a hug and a compliment may be small things but to the wife that is cherished, that is a lasting impression on the heart of the one that you love that will not be soon forgotten.

For Christian husbands this is often overlooked and is important to remember that your wife is also your Christian sister, and just as you treat others in the congregation with kindness and respect how much more so should you demonstrate that to her in public as well as and private, she is your precious wife. 

Are you and your wife the closest of friends? Did not Christ Jesus call his disciples his friends, he told them “I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master does. But I have called you friends, because all the things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:14, 15) This indicates that Jesus and his disciples were good at communicating together, they did things together he and his disciples were invited to the marriage feast at Cana, they had special places that they would go together and be alone in enjoying one another's company such as the garden of Gethsemane, the Bible says that “Jesus had many times met there with his disciples.”—John 18:2.

Wouldn't you agree that a wife certainly needs to feel that she is her husband's closest companion? It is vital and important to the marriage survival that husbands and wives enjoy life together, serve God together take delight in studying the Bible together spend time together walking, talking eating together, being more than just a married couple but being truly dear friends that cherish each other. Yes Jesus Christ's treatment of his followers sets the standard of how Christian men need to treat their wives.

What are some other areas that we can learn from Christ Jesus that will endear our wives to us? Christian headship is not a position of harsh domination. Rather it is one marked by respect and self-sacrificing love and showing them honor. The apostle Peter encouraged husbands to imitate Jesus’ loving ways by “dwelling in like manner” with their wives, “assigning them honor.” To honor someone means to hold that individual in high esteem.  (Read 1 Peter 3:7.)

 What are some ways that husbands can show honor to their wives? By giving careful consideration to her point of view and her feelings before he makes a decision that affects the entire family. And that may be in areas of family recreation, a job change, vacation, the family budget because the entire family will be affected, it would be beneficial in time for the husband to consider his wife's opinion as it may help him to arrive at a balanced more considered decision and certainly easier for her to support him, since he included her in the decision-making process which shows great respect and shows he values her opinions. Then finally think  of the Apostle Paul's words as mentioned above in Eph 5:28-29 It would be good to read the entire verse “Husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the congregation.” Paul added: “Let each one of you individually so love his wife as he does himself.”—Ephesians 5:28.

 Does the same husband ever intentionally injure his own body? If you stub your toe would you beat it because it made you stumble? Of course not! Would a husband humiliate himself before his friends or gossip about his own shortcomings? No! Why, then, would he give his wife a tongue-lashing, or worse, if she made a mistake? Husbands should consider not just their own interests but those of their wives.  Picture in your mind’s eye a precious valuable priceless vase on your mantelpiece. Think how you would prize it and care for it, hold it in the highest esteem, allow nothing to tarnish its luster.
A vase may have material value but a Christian wife priceless.
Christian husbands, imitate Christ’s love. Cherish your God-fearing wife—your sister and friend.

August 25 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report