Daily Habits Of Marital Intimacy - 10 Day Reading PlanSmakprov

Day 3: Marital Structure

Christ is the model for both of you as husband and wife. Look to Christ as to how to love one another in your God-given roles. Only from a deep, personal relationship with God can you love one another deeply from the heart.

Husbands, God has called you to love your wife with Christ’s love, leading the way to nourish and cherish her heart in protective love. Here are five ways to initiate protective love (5 P’s) to help you identify more easily what it means to love your wife as Christ loves her, choosing to express the gospel to her as Christ is the gospel to you: Pursue (to know her as a person as well as romantically), Protect (to come alongside and care for her emotionally), Priest (to pray for her), Persevere (to fight for her and your marriage), and Provide (to be responsible in financial matters in a way that cares for her heart).

Wives, here are five Respectful Responses in your love for your husband: respect (his person), affirm (his strengths and gifts), inspire (his dreams and desires), invite (him sexually), and nurture (him emotionally).

Reflection: You each have a unique role in God’s kingdom—honor and bless what God is doing in each of you, as you love one another as husband and wife. God knows that in this beautiful loving relationship of marriage, you are more able to fulfill your role in God’s kingdom. Consider what areas you need to allow God access to in order to help you love as Christ loves your partner. God’s all-sufficient grace will meet you in your greatest need.