Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Not because of anything they have done but simply because of what Christ has done for us.
Wives and Husbands,
Wives are asked to submit to their husbands, in such a way that reflects how the church submits to Christ, with Christ as the head.
But the calling for husbands is even deeper. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church.
Christ loved the church, not only being willing to die as a sacrifice for her salvation, but being willing to live for her, cleansing her though the word. Presenting her to himself as a radiant church. Without stain or wrinkle, but Holy and blameless. And Husbands are supposed to love their wives in the same way apparently... Contributing to their growth in Christ in ministering the word, stewards of their wives who submit to them. And just like Christ faithful even if their wife does not submit. Because thee dynamic of the relationship is that Christ holds on when the church wavers. Man that is a tough calling.
Love your wife as you love your own body. As you feed and provide for it. Just like Christ provides and gives gifts to the body of which we are a part of. For this reason a man will leave his parents and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh. And this is also symbolic of the Churches relationship with Christ. We share our bodies with our Lord. They come together to form one Holy temple of which Christ is the corner stone, and God lives by His spirit.
What surprises me about all this is that Paul uses marriage as an illustration of the relationship between Christ and the church. And yeah he was teaching them lifestyle and family values. But that is a symbolism seen right through the bible. Bride Groom and bride, The harlot and her husband, Hosea and his wife. And as much as marriage has decayed and the institution has become more of a mockery and a joke God's standard remains. And it remains to an extent that he would use marriage as an illustration to show how much he loves and is in an unbreakable relationship with his people.
When can I apply this.
Later on in life.
Stop viewing the church as a broken thing with so many flaws, but the bride of Christ, loved and dear to him.
No comments:
Post a Comment