Tuesday, February 16: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

Read Ephesians 5:21-33

 

Read Ephesians 5:21-33

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

 

Reflect

This passage starts with one commandment for all: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Specifics follow for wives and husbands. Though all marriages are unique, there are some universal elements in this passage that are powerful for every couple. What stands out to you today?

Respond

For those who are married, ask God to help you think of one creative way you could show your spouse love or respect today, and then do it! For those who aren't married, who in your life might God be asking you to submit to in a more gracious way? Your parents? Your boss? God himself? Ask God for a spirit of humble submission and respect.

 

 

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