The oldest institution known to man is the institution of marriage. God showed his approval of marriage when he gave the first man Adam (I Cor 15:45) a companion. God said that it was not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18) thus he made a help meet for Adam. Upon God removing the rib form Adam, by which he formed Eve, Adam revealed to all mankind from that day forth the close nature of marriage. He said “this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:..”(Gen 2:23).

As we travel some 4000 years from the Genesis account of the first couple we come to the gospel of John. In John 2 we find Jesus participating in an event at Cana of Galilee. The event is a wedding. The very fact that the Son of God is present and participating in such an occasion is in itself an endorsement of the institution of marriage. This should be no surprise to us since the Lord clearly stated “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). God the Father and God the Son are one in purpose, one in cause, and one in their endorsements.

Thus marriage is an institution established and endorsed by the heavenly host. This being the case one should look to Heaven’s guide concerning marriage and the responsibilities that come with such a great blessing as a lifetime companion.

In this article I want to deal specifically with the Christian husband. In a country where the divorce rate far surpasses the marriage rate and where single mothers abound there is an increasing need for Christian husbands.

The Christian husband is one who loves his wife and shows her that he loves her by his actions. Paul said “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;..” He continues “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself” (Eph 5:25, 28). Oh, if only men would follow this injunction today. The wife abuse and abandonment would all but disappear. There would be unity in the marriage union instead of danger and division.

The Christian husband also has the responsibility of being the head of the wife. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body”(Eph 5:22-23). Many in our day would frown on such a statement. However, when they frown on these words they frown on God, for these are his words. This position as head is not one to be abused. The husband is not the wife’s taskmaster, nor is she to be treated as a personal slave. Rather, the husband should help the wife get to heaven. He should be ever growing in his knowledge and application of God’s word. This serves as an encouragement and a good example to his soul mate. Let’s not fail to mention the husband fulfills God’s commands when doing such as well.

The Christian husband should keep the marital relationship pure. Sadly, in this present age adultery has taken on a certain luster from society. However, God’s position is made clear in Galatians 5:19-21. In this passage Paul refers to the “works of the flesh” among these works is adultery. As one reads on he can see that adultery carries with it the same penalty as murder or idolatry. What’s the penalty? “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:21). Adultery will not only cost you your wife and family in this life but it will also cost you your soul in the next.

One can see that the responsibilities of being a Christian husband are great. But one can also be assured that fulfilling your duties as a Christian husband will bring a great reward that will far outweigh any difficulties you may have in this present life. Let us strive to be the godly man that the Lord wants us to be.

I can’t cook. I am not very romantic. I am not a Mr. Fix-It, however, one thing I am is a good Christian husband because I love my wife and I try to do my best love her as Christ loved the church.

Christian Husbands dont have to be perfect men but they have to be men who love God.

God Bless and GOOOO DAWGS,

Rev. Marshall Murphy

Rev. Murphy is the Pastor at the First Christian Church of Demopolis. The church website is www.fccdemopolis.org