On the occasion of Valentines Day coming I was thinking about love, specifically about love in marriage.I was thinking about what a biblical love song would sound like.For a song, we might do best going to the poetry of Song of Solomon. But, the first thing that came to my mind is the great passage on marriage in Ephesians 5.
♪ ♪ ♫Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
♪ ♪ ♫For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church,
♪He Himself being the Savior of the body. ♪ ♪ ♫♪ ♪ ♫
I don’t think that would ever make it as a pop love song, even on a Christian station.But, God’s idea of love is not the same as the world’s.And I’m so thankful of that.Their type of love doesn’t last and doesn’t meet the deepest needs.
So, this valentines day, go ahead and enjoy your candy, flowers, and eating out, if those are your type of traditions.But, let me make another suggestion.Some day this week, spend some time measuring your contribution to your marriage against Ephesians 5:22-33.It may not seem “romantic”, but it is the map for marriage, given by the inventor of marriage… and the inventor of love.
A few helpful tips for understanding this passage:
For "submit", read it as follow the lead of.
"respect", in verse 33, also helps us understand "submit"
The husbands role in sacrificial love is key to the relationship, just like Jesus' sacrifice is key to our relationship with and response to Him.
Comments:
Valentines Day
Posted on: Thursday, February 11, 2010 by Joyce LeClair
Earl & I always celebrate Valentines Day and we do get gifts and cards for each other and go out to eat. I liked your idea of taking time to measure our own contributions (Ephesians 5 standards). It fit very well with something that I have been seeking to improve on in the past 2 or 3 weeks. That is letting him know how much I appreciate him, and by that I mean give him specifc examples of what I appreciate. I really believe that makes him feel respected. Like most married couples, we have had our ups and downs. I just feel so blessed that God showed mercy on us through those times so that we did not give up. I can honestly say that after 21 years our marriage is better now, and more in line with what God has planned, then we got married. Joyce
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