Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

A love like His Paul is painting a picture for us here in the book of Ephesians that likens Christ's connection to His Church to a husband's connection to his wife. But the picture is only half-complete; he has to fill in the remaining responsibilities of the husband, which he does by commanding them to love their wives "just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." God expects husbands to love their wives with same love that Christ has for His Church. So what exactly does that look like? Candy for Valentines Day? Flowers on your anniversary? Dinner and a movie every Friday night? Those are loving acts, but God calls husbands to a loving attitude-a lifestyle that resembles Christ's love in three specific ways. First, husbands are to love their wives sacrificially. See how Paul even adds the tag that Jesus "gave Himself" for the Church, underscoring the fact that He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Christ lived for us, and husbands are called to do the same for their wives. Secondly, husbands need to love practically. The Lord's love wasn't theoretical in nature. He didn't merely wax eloquently about loving us. Jesus actually got His hands dirty. He did something that was tangible which met our actual needs. Thirdly, husbands are to love their wives unconditionally. Christ Jesus didn't sit around and wait for us to become lovable before He loved us. His love came first. Sometimes a couple will be at a stalemate in their relationship because he won't love her and she won't submit to him. So who makes the first move? Who made the first move in our relationship with God? Romans 5:8 says Jesus died for us while we were still sinning. That's not to excuse wives from submitting, but it shows husbands that there's no excuse for a stalemate in their marriage...and there won't be if they love their wives as Christ loves us. God commands and enables husbands to love their wives sacrificially, practically and unconditionally. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?