Mutual Responsibility - Husbands. Colossians 3:19. In a family, roles are as effective as the attitude of those who fulfill them and make them visible. His genuine love for her balances the wife's submission to her husband. He should not be harsh or demanding in his words and actions toward his wife but instead love her in the name of the Lord. A wise husband who honors the Lord Jesus Christ will love and respect his wife. The Lord Jesus loved the church, His bride, and gave Himself for it.
The model for a husband to love his wife is the love Christ has for the church, which is much more than sentimental feelings or words that are not remembered. A man’s love for his wife is a God-given duty, but that doesn’t mean that love is not spontaneous. When love is real, it seeks ways to express itself and removes barriers, so the well-being of the loved one is not an obligation but a privilege that we can give and fulfill. Husbands who know their wives will gladly submit to their leadership and will be careful in how they exercise it. It will be their joy to share all aspects of life that God promises the loving husband and the submissive wife. The consecrated person will understand that genuine consecration extends to a man and a woman joined together as husband and wife to live consecrated lives in one union for the rest of their lives.
The wife shows she obeys the Lord as one who belongs to Him by submitting to her husband's leadership. The husband follows the Lord with self-sacrificing, Christ-like service toward his wife and family, avoiding the harsh methods of a dictator. Just as Christ loves the church, a husband is to love his wife through his willing sacrifice and concern for her well-being. Harsh, authoritarian rule does not demonstrate "agape" love. A husband should never hold bitterness over something his wife did or did not do. Love is patient and kind; it is not rude or self-seeking. When we submit to each other because we have first submitted to Christ, there will be no conflict, division, or bitterness between them. As someone has said, "Christ first, others second, ourselves last."
Christ loved His disciples to the end, and He demonstrated that by washing their feet and then “commended His love” when He died for us on the cross. He died so the object of His love did not have to die. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. He rose again and continues interceding for us when we fail, making our worship and service acceptable, and preparing a place for His bride.
These are ways a Christian husband can learn how to show his love for his wife. He is preparing an eternal home for us, yet he has not left us helpless and hopeless here but remains with us forever. Even though we do not see Him with our eyes, like a husband who is away busy providing for his wife and family, we are aware of His presence with us through faith. Faith in a loving husband makes a contented wife and family. His heart and mind are with them, and their trust is in Him. Mutual trust among household members creates a happy family and helps them live effective lives in the Lord's name with gratitude.