How to be an Offering – Love Your Wife as Christ Loved the Church

Ryan Egan —  August 24, 2010 — Leave a comment

Sketch of a paper-textured, bright red heart

Living a life of worship expects of us that we give up ourselves and our selfish desires in every area of life.  After being married to my amazing wife for a little over seven years now, I know that I have tended to be selfish in our marriage many, many times.  What does God’s Word say about how I can be a living sacrifice in my marriage?

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.

The above passage from Ephesians 5: 25-29 is so profound.  Jesus “gave himself up for” the church.  Do we give ourselves up for our brides?  Do we let go of our selfish desires in order to love her above all?  I have been so guilty of not doing that very thing.  Do we “nourish and cherish” our wives as we do our own flesh?  Perhaps we cherish often, but truly nourish, both physically and spiritually?  If you do nourish her in both ways how can you do it better?  If you don’t how can you start?  Perhaps you’re like me and seldom prayed with your wife apart from meal times.  Now is the perfect time to decide to pray whenever and wherever.

If we, as worship leaders, are called to reveal God’s truths to those who come to worship corporately and magnify His greatness, helping those we lead to see a more accurate picture of who He is our lives must reflect His character as well.  We must, especially as husbands, be like God in His amazing sacrifice of “giving himself up for” the church.  Your wife is worth even more than that.

I’ve struggled in this area, have you?  Would you pray for me as I desire to live my life as a living sacrifice to God by giving up my pride and selfishness in my marriage?

(heart illustration from Jeremy Newton)

Related Articles:

Ryan Egan

Posts Twitter Facebook

Ryan is a follower of Christ, husband, father, worship leader, & creative. He is heavily involved in the Association of Free Lutheran Churches and desires to teach others to live a life of worship in everything they do.