Even So

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word," Eph 5:25,26

In our world today it seems all we can see is conflict. Nation against nation, brother against brother, and yes even husband against wife. Divorce rates remain around 50 percent for all marriages and it's not much better in the church. This is a sad reality that is a stark departure from the biblical pattern. A better way is for "Husbands, love your wives."

Paul says in 1Cor 13 that true love suffereth long. True love is not easily provoked, beareth all things, and endureth all things. Indeed love is patient. It will forbear and endure when tested. When your spouse wrongs you how will respond? Will you get defensive or lash out in anger? Or could you turn to the One who can help you to love? It is risky to love when it doesn't seem to be reciprocated. That is precisely who Jesus was and is. He was despised and rejected. Insults were hurled at him, and he was mocked and yet, "for the joy set before him endured the cross despising it's shame." If you are a disciple of Jesus this is possible but it is a narrow, lonely, and painful path. We must choose it.

Many years ago I was delighted to attend the Rev. and Mrs. Joe Geive's 50th wedding anniversary. It was an awesome occasion. On that day I learned the secret of their marriage. My grandmother said,"I decided from the beginning that I would love him even so." Even so! That is the patient love that is necessary for an enduring marriage.

Our love for our wife must be kind, and rejoiceth in the truth, and hopeth all things. It should be an encouraging love that builds up and doesn't tear down. That through this love she might be so edified that she may easily experience a love not only from her husband but especially her saviour. It will be just as Jesus sanctifies his church with the precious word of God. We too should endeavor to minister unto our wives with the very words of God.

As Joe Greive said, "Until God by death shall separate us, or until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Love your wife even so.