Today we consider God’s expectation when He created man (or in this case we can also talk about a husband). Men can be rather undesirable, dreadful, and appalling, to name a few. And maybe men deserve this harsh judgement, and yet in the story of creation (Genesis 2), God created the man first, He made him steward and custodian over creation, and this happened even before the woman was created!
The apex of man’s authority was in naming the animals, birds and yes the woman God made. But it was certainly not God’s intention that the man, created in His image, to be more than the caretaker of that which He made with such love. Love is therefore the key. In exactly this way God intended a husband to lead his wife in love, providing a safe space for her to grow, to excel and to be the woman God wants her to be. Paul captures this biblical truth perfectly when he compares the role of a husband with the conduct of Jesus.
“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it...”
Ephesians 5:25
"Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it..."
Ephesians 5:25
In Ephesians 5 Paul said, ‘Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it…’ and also ‘Men ought to love their wives just as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself’.
Men who embrace this Biblical truth understand God’s heart for men. As such, a man will man-up and bring glory to God by leading in love!
After completion of his Theological Studies at Stellenbosch University, Gerrie served as pastor and missionary for 30 years in various contexts in South Africa and Mozambique.
He and Wienkie currently live in Pretoria, focusing on pastoring and life coaching in family environments. He is an associate staff of Campus Crusade for Christ as part of FamilyLife.
After completion of his Theological Studies at Stellenbosch University, Gerrie served as pastor and missionary for 30 years in various contexts in South Africa and Mozambique.
He and Wienkie currently live in Pretoria, focusing on pastoring and life coaching in family environments. He is an associate staff of Campus Crusade for Christ as part of FamilyLife.
One Response
A great truth that seems to have been lost in today’s world.