ICS Daily Devotions
Love As Christ Loved
Ephesians 5:22 -29 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 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. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
How we perceive God will affect how we love our spouse. We will not be able to understand how to love unless we are able to comprehend God’s love. Christ is our role model.
Christ is the head of the Church and He takes leadership to lead in mutual submission.
He laid down His rights and gave Himself for the church.
He loves us because we are His body.
He nourishes and cherishes the church.
In the above passage, there are 3 aspects of love, namely “agapao” (noun:agape), nourishing love and cherishing love.
Firstly, “agapao” describes the love that God gives freely, sacrificially and unconditionally regardless of response. It goes out not only to the lovable, but to one’s enemies or those who don’t “deserve” it. It is based on will and action. It is not sentimental or emotional. It is obedient and reflects the act of one’s will with the ultimate desire being for the other person’s highest good. Since it is unconditional, this love is still given even if it is not received or returned. It keeps on giving and is not withheld. Believers are commanded to practise this and are empowered by His Spirit to do so.
Secondly, there is a love that nourishes, “ektrepho”. Ektrepho means to provide food over a considerable period of time and the food being adequate nourishment. This could mean that the man is to be the “breadwinner” or the provider.
Thirdly, there is a love that cherishes, “thalpo”. It means to keep warm as with body heat or to soften by heat. The idea is to cherish with tender love and care.
We are to follow Christ’s example of loving His church in the way we love our spouse through agape, nourishing and cherishing love. Like Christ who does everything possible to present His church as a glorious church, we must also do the same for our spouse.
Sermon Series: Love As Christ Loved
