Love And Submission: The Two Magic Words That Makes For A Sweet And Glorious Marriage. Sweet and glorious marriage is achieved when two partners know their roles in marriage and play that role very well. When couple knows their obligations and is diligent to perform these obligations, sweet and glorious marriage is the result. “LOVE” PRINCIPAL OBLIGATION OF A MAN. If enjoying sweet and glorious marriage is your desire, there are two commandments that are a must to obey. The Magic Words can be seen in Ephesians 5: 25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her”, and verses 22 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord”. Also, see Colossians 3:19 “Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them, and verses 18 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord”. The two sentences is a must for couples to obey for a glorious and sweet marriage. Let’s look at the above injunctions in details: WHY SHOULD A MAN LOVE HIS WIFE? Loving one’s wife is a commandment from GOD from the Bible. It is not optional but a commandment. Loving your wife means loving yourself. Ephesians 5:28 “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself”. In other words, love is the LORD’S summary obligation of the man in marriage. HOW SHOULD A MAN EXPRESS HIS LOVE TO HIS WIFE? (1) In thought: a man should think a good thought about his wife. Once you build pure and romantic thought about your wife, you will never have the mind to hurt her. (2) In words: Husband should also express his love to his wife in words. That is you should always or continually vocalize your love for her, i.e. tell her you love her always. (3) In action: Act out your love for your wife by giving her gifts, taking her out, provide for her necessities like food, clothing, house rent, also pay the children school fees.
Also according to 1 Peter 3:7, we act out our love for our wife by honoring her. “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” When we genuine honor our wife, beating and humiliating the woman will be none I existence. Man, remember the woman is your extension. “SUBMISSION” THE PRINCIPAL OBLIGATION OF WIVES. If you look at the creation of woman in Genesis 2:21, woman was not made out of the feet or head of Adam, but was made from the SIDE of man. In other words, a man should enjoy her companionship. The woman, therefore, should not be made a slave or a second-hand citizen. The woman should be a homemaker, in other words, she should invest in the comfort of everyone in the house. She should make the home a home indeed and not a house. Submission is, therefore, the principal obligation of the woman to the husband. WHAT IS SUBMISSION? Submission is willingly putting yourself under someone’s authority. Submission is not slavery. Submission is a commandment to the wife from the LORD Colossians 3:18 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord”; Ephesians 5:22 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord”. HOW SHOULD A WOMAN SUBMIT? Willingly – the woman should submit willingly and not by force. Of a truth, reasons, why many marriages are crashing, are because women refuse to submit to the authority of the man willingly. Secondly, submission should be done out of love and not in fear. Next, submission should be in everything- your body and your material thing. Also, the submission should be as fit in the LORD – Colossians 3:18, Ephesians 5:22.
However, submission should be sensible; in other words, submission should not be done contrary to GOD’S Word. The extent in which a wife submits to her husband will be determined by the extent in which the husband submits to Christ. Where ever love and submission is, it speaks and cannot be hidden. SIGNS OF SUBMISSION: The following are the signs of submission: Obedience; Humility; Profound Respect – Eph.5:33 “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” Another sign of submission is an attitude of gratitude -be grateful for whatever he gives you. Husband Care: the wife should mother the husband and not murder him. ”It is the cock that craw but it is the hen that lays the egg.” Wife care for him the right quantity of food. Also, his clothes should be taken care of to ensure that he appears neat in the public. Also, body care should be used for him, again ensure that the environment is very neat. Spirit of GOD avoids dirty environment. Availability – wife, make yourself available when he needs you. Don’t always be too busy and have no time for him. Of important, never for any reason deny him s*x as a punishment. THINGS THAT MAKE SUBMISSION EASY: (1) PRAYER – the life of prayer is an asset. Settle issue with GOD on your closet rather than telling it to your friend. Have a relationship with your GOD. (2) COMMUNICATION: Communicate effectively with your husband. Leave no loophole, tell him your mind i.e. believe GOD to present everything as it is in your mind. (3) COMMITMENT: Marriage is not a temporary arrangement, but it is a commitment for life.
(4) INSTANT FORGIVENESS: Forgive and forget, don’t hold on it. Let the mistake of yesterday pass with it. When you don’t forgive, hatred will set in that may poison the marriage. Finally have this in mind; LOVE and SUBMISSION magnetize each other. Life is about responsibly each party must respond positively to their responsibility. Successful sweet and evergreen marriage is, therefore, a product of choice.