Devotionals - Active Word - July 29, 2010

Three E's

So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies… Ephesians 5:28 (NKJV)

God is a true artist when it comes to the people He uses for the purposes He employs them. He used David, a passionate poet, to pen many of the Psalms. He used Moses, a scholar of sorts, to record the history of the universe in Genesis. He used Paul's legal mind to logically state case after case concerning divine doctrine.

We see this in Ephesians 5:28-30, as he continues to spell out a husband's responsibility towards his wife. He's already called them to love her as Christ loves the Church, but he punctuates his point even further in a way we can break down with three "E" words.

Exhortation. This is the actual call to action, the marching orders, if you will. And Paul's exhortation to husbands is to "love their own wives as their own bodies." It's straightforward enough for any man to follow. Love your wife the same way you love yourself.

Explanation. Now he goes on to explain why a husband should love his wife the same way they love themselves. He who loves his wife loves himself…no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it… (Ephesians 5:28-29 NKJV).  Paul points to a truth we've already looked at, the union of a husband and wife as one. He reasons that since the two are now one, a husband's wife actually is part of his own body, and in taking care of her he's actually taking care of himself.

Exemplification. Paul wraps it all up by sharing an example that ties it all together: Just as the Lord does [nourish] the church…For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones (Ephesians 5:29-30 NKJV). As we are one with Christ, and as He loves and cares for us, a husband should follow Jesus' example by acting accordingly towards his wife.

That's a pretty compelling argument, and one that every husband would do well to acquiesce to!

Think about it…

What does this passage reveal to me about God? 
What does this passage reveal to me about myself? 
Based on this, what changes do I need to make? 
What is my prayer for today?

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