January 27, 2023
Daily Devotion:
"The Spirit of Love"
Ephesians 5:21
Yield to obey each other because you respect Christ.
One of the most hotly debated Bible verses in modern history is where Paul instructs wives to "submit to your husband's as to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22 NKJV). However, all you have to do is look back at one verse and any argument That Paul was unfair to women and must somehow be reinterpreted becomes moot. There Paul instructs husbands and wives to "submit to one another." Later in the chapter, Paul command husband to love their wives as Christ loved the church, which means they must be ready to pay the ultimate sacrifice (Ephesians 5:25). In the traditional wedding vows, both husband and wife promise to the other that they will love, honor, comfort, keep in sickness and health, forsake all others, and be true as long as both are alive. Despite such clear, simple biblical admonitions and marital vows, too many marriages are not characterized by love, honor, comfort, keeping, and forsaking. In too many marriages, not nearly enough mutual submission takes place. Paul says: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4 NKJV). It's fair to say that the source of most marital strife is when one or the other spouse is primarily looking out for his or her interests. The key to building your marriage and loving your husband, then, is very simple-but can be oh so hard. You must look first to his interests. Wait a minute. That's not fair. And what if he doesn't reciprocate? Fairness and reciprocity are important. But true love is not always fair and not always returned in kind. And what God Wants you to do is to love and honor your husband-and trust your husband's response into His hands.
Does that mean I have to be a doormat? God does not want you to cast aside your personality, thoughts, perspectives, and life. Remember, His ideal is mutuality. So He does want you-just as He wants your husband-to be the first to love, honor, forgive, and be faithful if that's what is required. In the mysterious ways that God works and changes lives, nothing will bless you, your children, your friends, and yes, your husband, more than a spirit of love.
