Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it
Today I wish to speak on a topic of deep significance – one that rests at the core of our day-to-day lives. It is love; specifically, the love we show towards our spouse and our family. The Bible speaks profoundly about love. It tells us that "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).
The Bible commands us to love unceasingly, unconditionally,
and unfailingly, just as our Heavenly Father loves us. Not least of all our
enemies, so how much more our own house! Yet, in the humdrum of our daily
lives, sometimes we may lose sight of what this love truly entails, especially
within our immediate homes – the sacred spaces of marriage and family.
The cornerstone of a healthy marriage and family life is
love – not the lustful love that is often glamourised in movies and novels, but
the love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It says, "Love is
patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It
does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres."
Let us reflect upon these words: how often do we exercise
patience with our spouse when they err? How frequently do we show kindness to
our children, even when they disobey us? Do we keep a record of their mistakes,
or do we forgive and forget, as our Heavenly Father does for us?
Our lives reflect our love. If love is the heart of our
homes, then patience, kindness, forgiveness, selflessness, and humility is the
lifeblood. They are not merely abstract concepts, but practical virtues that
must be brought to life in our interactions with our spouse and our children.
Remember, Christ showed us the ultimate example of love.
Love as He loved. Forgive as He forgave. And your home will be a dwelling place
of His peace. This love is often translated as charity, an act of selfless
giving and personal sacrifice, which Jesus described as the highest act of love
when he declared in John 15:13: “No man has greater love than this, that a
man lays down his life for his friends.”
Our role as spouses and parents extends beyond providing
physical necessities – it is our responsibility to nurture the spiritual growth
of our loved ones, guiding them on the path of righteousness. This role becomes
meaningful when it is fuelled by love. Just as Christ’s love for us was sacrificial, so should our love be for our
spouses and children. Furthermore Titus 2:4 encourages aged women to: "teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children".
Beloved, when we invite God's love to dwell within our hearts and homes, we are better able to handle the challenges that come our way. With love, all things are possible. We can overcome disagreements, heal wounds, and bridge differences. Our daily actions and decisions can be a testament to our love for our family. Simple acts of kindness, words of encouragement, spending quality time together, praying together, can all build a firm foundation of love and unity.
In conclusion, let the love of Christ be the guide for our
relationships with our spouses and our children. Let us strive to reflect His
love in our homes. It is a love that is patient, kind, humble, selfless,
forgiving, and enduring. As we unfold this divine love in our marriages and
families, we not only create homes of peace and joy but also become living
testaments of God's love to the world.
My prayer for us all is that the Lord will continually pour out His love into our hearts, empower us to love as He does, and make our homes a haven of His presence. May the Lord's grace and peace be with each of you.