The Standard of Sacrificial Love

The Standard of Sacrificial Love

Wednesday

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
— Ephesians 5:25-28 (ESV)

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

— 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)
The standard for a husband’s love is not set by his father, his culture, or his own comfort. The standard is Jesus Christ. “As Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”—that is the measuring stick. Jesus did not love the church because she was lovely. He made her lovely by loving her. He gave everything, holding nothing back. Husbands are called to that same kind of self-emptying love: love that protects, love that provides, love that is patient even when it is inconvenient. Peter adds that husbands must live with their wives in an understanding way and show them honor.

Today, whether you are a husband or not, reflect on how Christ’s sacrificial love has transformed you. How might you extend that same kind of selfless love to someone in your life today?
Prayer:
Jesus, You set the standard for love by laying down Your life. Help me to love sacrificially today, in ways both big and small. Amen.

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