The Joy of a Husband

The world today whispers and yells to us that our pleasure, security and contentment are the cornerstones of a happy, healthy marriage.  In fact, the grounds for divorce in most instances are labeled as “incompatibility” and “unable to get along”.  If one carefully lifts up the labels will find that the true reason is simple selfishness.

I believe that Scripture teaches us that a marriage between a man and a woman symbolizes the “marriage” between Christ and His bride - the church.  Christians should treat their marriages with that in mind.  That means that even if there are problems (which there will be), even if things change and the person you married has “become a different person” you must remain married.  Have we not considered that the circumstances that come into our marriages are likely there to conform us more into the image of Christ?  Or are we too selfish and self-centered these days so as to think worldly and not biblically as we should?

It’s no wonder marriages are falling apart at astronomical rates in the American church considering how man centered everything else is proclaimed behind most pulpits.  Our marriages are an earthly representation of our covenant relationship Christ has with His Church.  Can you imagine every time we act “incompatible” or every time we do not please Christ if He would divorce us and just go after someone else?

It’s time Christians return to a Biblical and Christ-exalting understanding of marriage!

Before I was saved by my Lord my focus was self.  My focus was how could I be pleased, honored and built up.  In fact, this is the biblical description of every single person before regeneration.  It takes the miracle of being born from above to have our hearts of stone turned to hearts of flesh and our eyes opened to the glory of God in the face of Christ to seek to serve Him and not self - in essence, to take up our cross and follow Christ. (Matt. 16:24)

I have been blessed to have the most precious wife I could ever ask for.  My wife cares for me, loves me unconditionally and puts up with me on a daily basis.  No, we don’t have a perfect marriage - they don’t exist.  We are both sinners who are clothed in Christ’s righteousness and it is only by His grace that we are able to love one another biblically.  With the thousands of reasons I could give you for the joy I have in my wife I will tell you what brings me the most ultimate joy - her growing daily into the image of Christ.

Nothing brings me more joy in my marriage than to walk past my wife at her desk at home and see her reading her Bible.  Seeing her yearn for the meat of Scripture and digging deep into God’s transforming Word seeking to know Him more and more.  Nothing brings me more joy in my marriage than to see my wife grow more and more into the image of Jesus Christ. Nothing brings me more joy in my marriage than to see God working mightily through my wife, a sinner who has been clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ.  This joy stems from knowing that no matter what happens in our life and marriage - come rain or sunshine, my wife is secure in the hands of Christ and her life is built on the solid Rock of Christ and His Word.  I know too that no matter what happens to me, if the Lord decides to bring me home tomorrow, that God tells us that He “watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow.”  (Psalm 146:9)

This is the joy of a husband - to see my wife grow daily in the grace of the Lord by serving and obeying Him and growing in Christ-likeness.  May we honor our marriage always looking to the Author and Captain of our salvation.

Father, I thank you for giving me my beautiful wife and more so I thank you for saving her and transforming her daily into the image of Your precious Son.

July 28, 2008 · Filed Under Christian Life
Posted by Jay Wingard

Comments

2 Responses to “The Joy of a Husband”

  1. Petrus Jonathan on July 28th, 2008 12:48 pm

    Brother i am happy to read this message and i hope to get more.I am amember of the Lord ’s Church in Namibia and I have married for eigth years now may God bless you and your family ,pray for us also.To God be the glory”

  2. ellathinks on September 19th, 2008 9:10 pm

    Thanks for the inspiring thought that you shared to us.I honestly grateful to read this article it helps us a lot for those who have family.divorceGod first!
    Always put God as a center of the family.
    Day by day you will grow in the blessing of the Lord.God Bless your family always.

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