Page 43 - Family Life Student Textbook

Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself
up for her.”

Ephesians 5:28–29 “In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own
bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own
body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.”

Ephesians 5:33 “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and
the wife must respect her husband.”

Colossians 3:19 “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-
seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does
not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

The command to a husband to love his wife has much more meaning than having sex
with her. Love is seeking God's best for your wife.

In Dr. Emerson Eggerich’s book “Love and Respect” it is stated that a man’s love for a
woman is like oxygen to her. She needs it to survive.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

God loves us with an unconditional love, no matter what we do. God asks me to love my wife without any
“if’s” involved. I love you regardless of whether you deserve it or not. I love you regardless of your mood. A
husband is to love his wife with agape love. The word used in this passage is commanding a husband to love
his wife in a sacrificial, and unconditional way. It is not the word for erotic love, and it is not the word for
friendly love, but it is the word for sacrificial, unconditional love.

I am commanded by God to love my wife continually. The word love is in the present tense. Period! At no
time should it be true that I am not presently loving my wife.

What should a husband do when he is tempted to stop loving his wife?

The word love in these commands is in the active voice. The husband is to love his wife actively. The love
cannot just be in his heart. It must be delivered to her. Love is the one business in which it pays to be
absolutely lavish; give it away; throw it away; splash it over; empty your pockets; shake the basket; and
tomorrow you'll have more than ever.”

The word love in these commands is in the imperative mood. I am to love by my choice to obey God's
commands. Take your picture of the “perfect person” and set it aside. Then turn to your wife and love her
just the way she is.

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