In our lives we are faced with many decisions. In some decisions we are given
specific commandments to follow when making them. Marriage is one of the decisions.
Perhaps one of the most important decisions we will make is choosing the person we will
spend the rest of our lives with. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly. As
Christians, we have certain things we should take into consideration when making that
decision. God has given specific commands to both the husband and wife regarding how
they are to treat each other and their roles in the marriage relationship. Today's society
has paid no attention to the roles of the husband and wife, but we, as Christians, have the
Bible to refer to when we are confused as to what part we play in our marriage. God has
specifically said that the husband is to be the head of the household. The man is the head
over his wife, just as Christ was head over the church (Ephesians 5:23). This does not
mean that the husband is to command his wife to do unrealistic things. He is not to be a
tyrant. Christ lorded over the church with compassion, so the husband is to do the same
with his wife. Husbands are also to love their wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians
5:25). Christ loved the church unconditionally, therefore, a man should love his wife in
the same way. No matter what hardships may come, the man is to stay by his wife and
love her with all of his heart, just as Christ did with the church. A husband is also to give
of himself all he can to his wife (Ephesians 5:25-27). He is to do all he can to make sure
she is a fitting wife and a woman of the Lord. He is to treat her just like Christ treated the
church. A husband is also to love his wife as his own body (Ephesians 5:28). One cannot
love someone unless he loves himself first. A man does not hate himself and cause harm
to his body, he nourishes it (Ephesians 5:28). ...