Ephesians 5:26
“so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word”.
The previous verse says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her”. The husband loves his wife and wants to be a blessing to her. Jesus gave His life for us and He is sanctifying us by the washing of water with the word. Sanctifying is cleansing. It’s the process of us becoming more like Christ.
Most in our world wouldn’t see sanctifying as a blessing, but boring. We in Christ know better. Our “cup runneth over”, as the Psalmist says. Our lives are filled with joy as we are filled with Christ. We are walking with Him. We are loving others and dying to self. We are seeking to bless others.
Just as Jesus works this in us, we seek this in our wives. How do we do that? We love them. We serve them. As we love and serve Christ, we are a model to them to do the same. This is leadership. Being a model to others. Serving them, washing their feet.
We all have our gifts and strengths. Those are primary areas of service. Those mechanically inclined serve their spouses by fixing things, so the handyman doesn’t need to be called. Those gifted with finances take care of that burden. We also serve the need in front of us.
The Lord drives selfishness out of us. We aren’t out late drinking, but at home serving and being a protector.
We pray for others. Looking for opportunities. We see potential there and ask God to fulfill it. We remove stumbling blocks from our paths and theirs. I think of Jacob Marley’s accusation, “Man of the worldly mind”. We are not to be that, but spiritually minded. We are to lead our families in that.
We in Christ know the great blessings in God and His ways, so that’s the way we go. We pray they follow our example. A house submitted to God has His power over it and His momentum there. In that house, “His kingdom comes and His will is done”.
Paul gives this as a description of his ministry, “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm”, (2 Corinthians 1:24). I’ve heard a pastor describe his ministry as a “joy helper”. That’s what the husband should be. Not that we are trying to make everything fun, but they follow Christ, as we follow Christ. This heightens joy.
The Holy Spirit is working in the church and us to accomplish all this. Psalm 91:11,12 says, “For He will give His angels orders concerning you, To protect you in all your ways. On their hands they will lift you up, So that you do not strike your foot against a stone.” This was mainly about Christ, He protects us as well. He fills us, uses us and blesses us. He does this to our families. I Corinthians 2:9 says, ‘Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”‘ You’ve got such good things planned for us, we can’t even imagine. Thank You!
Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit. You’ve given us everything. Help us to work that into our families. It’s Your will.