So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. ~ Ephesians 5:28 -KJV
Flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. We are part of each-other. We grow together knitting thoughts and preferences, influencing each-other until we don’t know where one leaves off and another begins. Yet – we are individuals as well – not joined at the hip.
Our Lord declared: “They are no more twain, but one flesh”. There must an accomplished coordination… a cooperation and a harmony to play the symphony of the marriage well. All aspects of soulish and spiritual development come into play regarding both the self-sacrifice and the leadership and initiative involved in the marital bond. We cannot look to ourselves alone, we must look to the needs of our spouse, recognizing our differing opinions, yet allowing God’s order to negotiate and settle all questions thereof arising. Without each-other, diverse aspects of ourselves would never be revealed.
Men are to be looking to the need and desire of their wives, mindful of her yearnings, exercising sacrifice and love upon her and in doing so they minister unto themselves as they would in maintaining their very household.
Marriage is a divine ordinance. When the church does not hold the line – neither can we expect the state to enforce the institution. The desire and interdependence was divinely orchestrated to create a supernatural bond. Both the Genesis and Gospel accounts declare you (are) one, not you (should be) one. I speak of the high aim and ideal – the image which God intended in the sanctuary of the Garden.