The Biblical Role of a Husband (Pt.2)

(Part 2)

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.”-Ephesians 5:25-28

What is the Biblical role of a husband? In the eyes of many men, their primary responsibility is to provide for and protect their family. However, according to Ephesians 5:25-28; the first thing that husbands are instructed to do is to love their wives, as Christ loved the church. This is not a call for provision, but instead a call to sacrifice. Romans 5:8 declares:

“But God demonstrated His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Christ demonstrated His love for us by sacrificing His life for us. We, in like manner, are admonished to demonstrate love by giving ourselves up for our wives. This means that we may have to give up some of what we want in order to accomplish the will of God for our marriages. The objective of this sacrificial expression is holiness:

“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.”-Ephesians 5:25-26 (NLT)

A Biblical husband lives sacrificially to see their families set apart unto God! To be holy means to be set apart for God’s purposes. Christ, gave Himself, so we as believers would be set apart unto God; so we as husbands must take an active interest and role in our wives’ pursuit of holiness. How does a husband do that?

Christ cleansed the church by the washing of water through the word. We then, like Christ, must also bathe our wives and families in the Word of God. As Biblical husbands we must be concerned about the spiritual condition and atmosphere in our homes. For, according to Mark 8:36:

“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?”

We carry the responsibility of priest and prophet, in so much as, we are to talk to God about our families as well as to speak to our families about God. We must have a firm command of the Word of God so that we can direct our families spiritually.

Jesus understood that the church, when presented, would be a direct reflection of His love and sacrifice; so Christ wanted to present to Himself a radiant church-one without stain, wrinkle or any blemish. The extent He invested in her would be immediately noticeable. As a Biblical husband, is your love and sacrifice noticeable in your wife’s life?

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church