AGAPE - A CHRISTIAN HUSBAND’S OBLIGATION
Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
God’s love excludes no one – Sadly, many do nor respond to the goodness of God
Romans 2:4-5 Despise thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasure up unto yourself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Christians are called to love (AGAPE) their enemies and their brethren:
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
1 John 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.
If Christians should love all people that includes Husbands to love their wives.
AGAPE love is one of several words in the New Testament that speaks of love – but is the greatest.
Paul said this is a great mystery
Eph. 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
God designed husbands and wives to be one
Eph. 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
The more we appreciate Christ/Church, the more we will know how to behave as Christian spouses.
Eph. 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Paul instructs husbands to consider Christ, the perfect model for AGAPE love
Lets study five important truths about AGAPE love using an “Acrostic”
A ATTITUDE / ACTION
It does not stand for Avoidance. It is not a strategic apology to prevent a conflict
Attitudes / Actions mean that the Husband must think and act like Christ
He ought to be a good Christian Husband all the time, not just in times of strife.
AGAPE love is defined as the Husband’s love for his wife’s soul.
1 Cor. 13:1-8 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; [6] Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; [7] Bears all things, believeth all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails:
G GOAL DRIVEN
There is a reason, an eternal reason for a husbands “Attitudes and Actions”
It is the reason for which Jesus “endured the cross”. The GOAL of Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider the results that Christ sought for the Church. He loved the Church so he gave himself for it, that he might:
1. Sanctify it: 2. Present it: 3. That it should be holy and without blemish: Eph 5:25-27
Husbands should have the same goal for wives; Husbands should contribute to their wives:
1. Being set apart and serving others in the Lord , such as sanctified.
2. Being faithful in all things so that their wives will be “presented” as part of church.
3. Being vigilant to be “Holy and without blemish”.
The Christian husband must make his home into a spiritual harbor with heaven as his goal.
A ALWAYS
By nature AGAPE love does not wax or wain.
1 Cor. 13:8 Charity never fails.
Love is not going to be “superseded” by something better. It must remain permanent.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Slow to become “Resentful” - React good when ill-treated - Never envy his wife
Be willing to “Give” and not keep account - Does not find “Fault” or “Fly off the handle”.
P PRINCIPLED CONDUCT
This point makes AGAPE love distinctive and divine. It means that the husband is called to love because God commands it.
Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
This love can be learned. Couples must conform to God’s will and Christ pattern.
A husband can AGAPE his wife even when he is not loved in return. It is not a proper consideration to ask, “does she really deserve it?”
We did not earn Christ’s love:
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
A Christian husband will “initiate” a concern for his wife’s spirituality out of principle.
As Christ also loved the church.
E EVERLASTING BENEFITS
AGAPE love enhances the self-image of the one loved.
Ed Wheat in his book “Love Life for Every Married Couple” said:
“Designed by God, agape is the best medicine for mental health”
A ATTITUDE/ACTION
G GOAL DRIVEN
A ALWAYS
P PRINCIPLED CONDUCT
E EVERLASTING BENEFITS
Each of these can help a spouse through times of significant anxiety.
AGAPE can provide stability and emotional security.
Divine love makes every day better, braking down wall of defensiveness and quarreling.
A husband, living like God wants him to live, will love his wife like Christ loved the Church giving himself “selflessly” for her spiritual needs.
That’s AGAPE love – A Christian husband’s eternally rewarding obligation.
YOUNG PEOPLE – REMEMBER – YOU WILL MARRY WHO YOU DATE
THEREFORE ONLY DATE CHRISTIANS
WHEN BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE CHRISTIANS - THAT’S GOD’S WAY.