Ephesians 5:31:29-33 (The Message)
29 -33 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh." This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.

The Apostle Paul tells us no sound man abuses his own body. Instead he takes care of it, feeding, nourishing, clothing and doing what is good for it. Because we are a part of the body of Christ�s church, Jesus loves us and cares for us. Similarly a man should love his wife because the two have become one through God. He should care for her as he would himself. He should love her as he would himself. The husband does this because he understands what Christ has done for him. And because of the love and respect a husband gives his wife; the wife will learn to honor her husband. This does not mean they neglect other relationships, but instead Christ comes first, the marriage relationship next, and all other relationships follow.

The marriages which sadden me most is where either the husband or the wife is doing all they can to make a marriage work while the spouse seems bent on destroying it. My first message is to husbands. Look at how Jesus continues to love you no matter how many times you sin; no matter how many times you fail; no matter how many times you reject Him. JESUS ALWAYS LOVES YOU. If you are following Jesus then love your wives as Christ loves you. When you are rejected by your spouse, keep on loving her. When your wife fails you, keep on loving her. When your wife sins guide her gently back to God. When your wife puts you last keep on loving; for you have often done the same to the Lord and He still loves you. And even though the Lord could overpower you he does not because of his love for you. In the same way be gentle towards your wife. The second message is for wives. Honor your husband by sharing your needs, expressing your feelings and praying for him asking the Lord to give you and him understanding. If your husband is honoring Christ through his actions of love for you, then wives should be able to honor, respect, love, cherish, and place their husband before themselves and all others. The Bible says for husbands and wives to submit to one another. The Bible says husband and wife are to honor God and then honor each other through their marriage. May God bless your marriage, restore the failures, and heal the wounds.