To LOVE is the responsibility of the Husband to his wife

[T0xic]

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Husband! Are you Taking your Wife for granted

In the early hours of man's existence, God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make for him an helpmeet for him" Genesis 2:18. The beautiful garden would not have been a paradise without Eve. What a lonely existence man would have had without woman. Man has need for companionship, affection, empathy, procreation. It is not good that man should be alone. Naturally, this applies to woman, too.

Home is one of the sweetest and fondest words enshrined in human affections. Woman's greatest joy can come in making a happy home for her husband and children. It is very difficult to overestimate the worth of a good woman. Solomon recognized the virtues of a good woman and man's inability to get along without them. He said, "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies, the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land" Proverbs 31:10-31.

In Proverbs we also find such statements as "he who findeth a wife, findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor of the Lord" Proverbs 18:22. And "house and riches are the inheritance of fathers, and a prudent wife is from the Lord" Proverbs 19:14. We should not cease in the giving of thanks to the Lord if we have found a prudent wife. How fortunate we are if we have mutual love and companionship in our homes. If we do not have such a home, may God help us to achieve one.

The Bible says love is as strong as death. Jealousy is cruel as the grave.

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. (Solomon 8:6-7). Solomon also said live joyfully with thy wife, whom thou lovest, all the days of the life of thy vanity (Ecclesiastes 9:9). If the home is not a happy place, someone has failed. Peter gave us instructions on how to live together harmoniously. He said, "Husbands, dwell with them (your wives) according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of live, that your prayers be not hindered" II Peter 3:7. She is not weaker in character and intellect, but she is weaker physically and man must understand her needs and limitations. He must also be aware of her ability to help him. He must also use his abilities in helping her. Wise men show an interest when their wives speak up, and weigh their wisdom, for many times their wisdom out-weighs that of their mates. Sometimes we rob ourselves of the happiness our heavenly father intended for us because we have not learned to enjoy the companionship of our Godly mates.

Pitiful is the man or woman who exploits his mate and reveals secrets that should be kept between themselves. It is unbecoming and certainly not Christ like to downgrade the opposite *** in story telling and off-color jokes. We are God's creation. Each with a specific purpose and work. We're not in competition, and the Christian woman is not seeking a false liberation, but is happy and fulfilled in the role that God gave her. Many of our frustrations are mental as well as physical ills, brought upon us by a lack of love and companionship in the home. Our greatest joy should come to us through our working together as husband and wife, and praying together with common interests and common goals. God has given us laws for our well-being, for God knows much better than we the things that are good for us and the things that make us happy (Matthew 6:8; Ephesians 5:25).

Although you may deeply appreciate your wife, it can mean so much to the both of you if you will take the time to let her know it. Tell her how you feel and show her in a thousand little ways. It can mean so much. It is unfair and unchristian to take her for granted. Married people owe each other more than just a home, food and clothing. Your time, your attention and your interests are also extremely important in maintaining a happy relationship. Why not set aside a night each week for just the two of you to be together, away from family, friends and responsibilities. Go out for dinner or, if finances are a problem, just for a walk. Leave all your other responsibilities at home and don't even allow them to be mentioned. Believe it or not, the world will still be turning when you get back, and the happiness that such times will bring to both of you will be well worth the effort.

[T0xic]

The Husband's Responsibility to his Wife & the Bible!

The position of the husband in the home and his related responsibilities are quite clearly defined in principle in Ephesians 5:22, 28-31. "Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, even as Christ is head of the church; and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wife as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it . . . So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church . . . For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shal.1 be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh".

It is impossible to completely deal with the responsibilities of the husband in such a short article. I am going to ask you to make some notations of scriptures and then read them at a later time. Let us start with some scriptures that deal with the husband as head of the house. Genesis 3:16, says in part "her desire shall be to man". Then Eph. 5:23, "husband is head of the wife"; then I Tim. 2:11-12, "She shall have no dominion over a man". Now don't stop at these verses and think that the only responsibility of the husband is to be HEAD of the house. By the way, head does not mean master as in a master-slave relationship, nor does it mean a relationship like a general to a private in the army. It is more like a partnership where one is the leader, guide, director. Now consider this. Can you think of any decision that a husband should make WITHOUT consulting or considering his wife and her wishes? I cannot!

Now let us consider some other responsibilities. The husband is to love his wife above all other human beings. Consider Eph. 5:25 and 28; and Col. 3:19. These passages teach that the husband is to be considerate and tender. The verses in Ephesians 5 teach that the husband is to cherish his wife. This means that she is to be treated with tenderness and affection. This would mean that since love must be fed, there is to be a warm demonstrative love relationship. The husband has the responsibility of not only demonstrating his love and concern, but telling her. He should not sit in such self-absorption that he does not talk with her and communicate with her socially, mentally, verbally and physically. The husband will demonstrate his love for his wife in other ways, rather than just at the time of sexual relationship. If this is the only time that affection and consideration is shown, then a wife will get the idea that all a husband is interested in is her body and that she is merely a *** object.

I Peter 3:7, teaches that the husband is to honor his wife. She gave up her name to take yours. Honor means that you should show her respect and this involves courtesy, consideration and emotional support. Be sure that as her husband that you do not hold her up to ridicule in public by the cutting remarks that you make. She wears YOUR name and is to viewed as part of your body. She is not perfect and you are aware of this. Do not expect perfection, but as Ephesians 4:32 teaches, "forbear one another". This means to be gentle toward her. Control of temper, abstaining from physical violence and restraining a sharp tongue that makes one feel so inferior - are ways by which you can exhibit forbearance.

Paul presents another responsibility of husbands in I Timothy 5:8 - "But if any provide not for his own, especially for those of his own household, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel". Marriage is a financial venture and the husband has a responsibility to finance or support or provide for his family. This is talking about money. As a husband, your earnings are not your own but belong to your wife as well and your children.

Another responsibility of the husband is to be active in the area of the discipline and rearing of the children. When the Apostle Paul was giving the qualifications for elders and deacons, he included this statement that is certainly applicable to all men: I Timothy 3:3-5, and he speaks of ruling your own house. Now this discipline should be with love. Many times discipline is administered without love. The Book says in Ephesians 6:4, "Fathers provoke not your children to wrath", and again in Colossians 3:21, "Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged". The husband therefore does not leave all the discipline up to his wife, but shares in the molding and direction of your children. It is not a proper division of responsibility to say that as the husband I will provide the living and the wife is to take care of the house and children. The husband has duties even after his days work is done by which lie is earning a living to support his family.

The Christian father should set an example for his family as he earns a living, directs the household with concern for each member, and as he fulfills his role as head of the house. He should see to their spiritual development by the life he lives and the direction in which he leads his family.

Your wife is a part of your body - you are a part of each other. For this reason Paul said, "Love your wife". He didn't say, if you want to. As you love her, you love yourself and are fulfilling the role that the Lord wanted you to have.

[T0xic]

THE ROLE OF THE MAN IN THE FAMILY

A Provider
Most men believe that being a good provider means supporting a family financially. It means much more than that. A man should also contribute to the emotional, spiritual, physical and mental well-being of his family. In order to do this, he must recognize that there are other currencies, in addition to money, that need to be provided.

A Protector
This means more than beating up the guy next door if he insults your wife. It means protecting her self-esteem and self-worth as well as your children's. It can also mean protecting your way of life and guarding against any threats to the things that you and your family value.

A Leader
Instead of waiting for your wife to take the initiative when you are having problems, take the lead. Get in the game and create what you want in your family instead of whining about your family situation. Marriage is not a 50/50 partnership. It's a 100/100 partnership. That means you give 100 percent. And remember, you get what you give.

A Teacher
What are you teaching those around you — especially your children — with your behavior? It's important to provide a good example for your children, loved ones and community with both words and deeds. Set high standards and teach by doing.

[tallthel]

love and respect...always jd na....