Ephesians 5:25-27

“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.”

First of all, this is no ordinary love Paul is talking about. The Greek word is agapao, and it’s not a Hallmark kind of love or the kind of “love” you have for ice cream or your favorite movie or sports team. Agapao is sacrificial rather than self-serving. It is giving and seeks nothing in return. It is the love of Christ that motivated His march to the cross, and it’s the kind of love you are capable of because of the Holy Spirit.

Secondly, this passage calls on husbands to help their wives in their walk with the Lord. This kind of love has a purifying effect as a husband protects his wife and encourages her and prays for her and helps her draw closer to the Lord. You can study Scripture with her, pray with her, and humbly and gently help her deal with her own sin challenges (as she should do for you, too). Simply put, if your love for your wife is not drawing her nearer to God, then you aren’t doing it right.

Imagine this: One day you will be presenting your bride to her Savior, and He in turn will present her to her Maker. What kind of stories will she be able to tell them about you? How prepared will she be as a result of your sacrifice and service to her? How did your love for her match up with Christ’s love for His Church? These are questions every Christian husband needs to ask himself.