Paul writes to the Ephesians that men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and wives are to respect their husbands.

Love your wives as Christ loved the church! This kind of love isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice.

And how did Christ love the church? He heard from the Father what He was to do and say to the church, and He obeyed His Father. Jesus’ love required action.

Jesus’ Love In Action

1. He emptied Himself of His glory to become a man.
2. He revealed God’s kingdom.
3. He revealed the image of God.
4. He lived with His disciples.
5. He fed the multitudes.
6. He taught His followers.
7. He healed the sick.
8. He raised the dead.
9. He touched the leper.
10. He cast out demons.
11. He held the children.
12. He calmed the storm.
13. He wept over Jerusalem.
14. He washed dirty feet.
15. He turned water to wine.
16. He honored women.
17. He prayed for you and me.
18. He forgave the people for crucifying Him.
19. He died for the world.
20. He saved us from eternity in hell.
21. He saved us to live with Him forever.
22. He sent the Holy Spirit.
23. He speaks on our behalf to the Father.
24. He is preparing a dwelling place for us.
25. He will come back for us.

Jesus chose to love, and His love took action.

In Titus 2:4, the older women are instructed to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children. Both husbands and wives are to love each other.

Love’s Definition

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends [or fails].
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Notice that “love” takes action.

What Love Is Not

1. Does not envy or boast
2. Not arrogant or rude
3. Does not insist on its own way
4. Is not irritable or resentful
5. Does not rejoice at wrongdoing
6. Never fails—doesn’t end

What Love Is

1. Patient and kind
2. Rejoices with the truth
3. Bears all things
4. Believes all things
5. Hopes all things
6. Endures all things

Can you replace the word “love” with your name?

When the Love Needs Renewal

But, you say, I don’t love her any more. You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’.

Love is a command. It’s nice to have the feeling, but love takes action, whether you fell all warm and fuzzy inside. Love is a choice.

In Revelation 2:1-5, Jesus tells the church of Ephesus:

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Remember your dates? Remember what you talked about?

Repent—that means to turn from what you are doing now that made you abandon your love.

Do what you did before. Go on dates, talk, kiss.

It’s important to Jesus.

Why does God spend so much time on marriage in the Bible?

He created Adam to name the creatures, tend the Garden of Eden and have dominion over the earth. He also walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam during the cool of the day.

God created Eve to be a helpmate to Adam and to complete him.

They both walked with God in the cool of the day. The three of them.

Adam and Eve became one, and as they walked with God, they became one with God.

A union of man, woman and God. That’s the Christian walk. Unity.

Soon, Jesus is coming for His Bride, the church – that’s you and me.

Marriage is sacred to Jesus. Is it sacred to you?

This week, please write a love note to your spouse and do something you did when you first fell in love.

Please tell us what you did in the comment section and how you felt after you did it.

My prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of marriage. You have given us a reflection of what our relationship with You will be one day. We are so blessed. I pray for the readers You bring to this post. Renew their love for You and for their spouses. Fill them with a passion to honor and show their love to each other and to You. Thank You, Jesus, for showing us how to love. Empower us to choose love. Thank You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen