God sets the standard for how a husband should love his wife. But before we get into that, let’s take a moment to talk about something that ties everything together — obedience to God’s Word.

(And yes, this continues from our previous post. If you haven’t read it yet, scroll down to find it so you can catch up.)

Christianity Is Loving Obedience

One of the simplest yet most profound ways to describe the Christian life is this: loving obedience to God’s Word. That’s what true worship is. There is no worship outside of this kind of obedience.

Now, this may sound very obvious to some, but for others, it’s not.

Many people come into Christianity thinking it’s a way to “pay God back” for what He’s done. This idea often comes from childhood, where someone learned that love was tied to performance. If they performed well, they received love or attention. And so, they carried that mindset into adulthood.

When they come to know Jesus and begin to grasp how deeply He loves them — especially what He did for them on the cross — their natural response is: “I need to do something for Him.”

But Are “Good Works” Always Good?

Yes, Christians are supposed to do good works. Scripture is very clear about that:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
— Ephesians 2:10

“…bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
— Colossians 1:10

But here’s where we need to be very careful: good works are not about performance. They are about obedience.

True good works are simply obeying God’s Word — from the heart. That’s it.

When we obey, we are saying to God, “I trust You. I believe You.”

When we disobey and try to cover it up with visible service or “religious activity,” those things are not good works. They are masks.

King Saul’s Story — A Warning for Us

Think about King Saul. He started out humble, brave, and even victorious. But when it came to obeying God, he failed.

Saul was quick to offer sacrifices — something that looked spiritual. But when God gave him specific commands, Saul disobeyed.

“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
— 1 Samuel 15:22

God wants hearts that obey Him — not hands that serve while ignoring His voice.

Husbands, God Has Spoken

When Scripture says:

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her”
— Ephesians 5:25

God isn’t calling husbands to buy luxury gifts. He’s calling them to love like Jesus — sacrificially, gently, and faithfully.

Of course, wives enjoy receiving gifts! But no gift can cover wounds caused by harshness, control, or abuse — especially if the gift is used to silence the wife or cover up sin.

And what’s even more painful? When the church only sees the husband’s good side:

• “He’s always helping!”
• “He teaches when no one else is available.”
• “He even bought her a new car for her birthday!”

They don’t see what happens behind closed doors. But God does.

God sees the husband’s heart — and whether or not he’s obeying the command to love his wife like Christ loves the Church.

God Doesn’t Need Us — We Need Him

Let’s remember this: God is not lacking anything. He is all-sufficient. He does not need our service. We need Him.

His Word gives life. To reject it is to walk in spiritual danger.

“With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
— Micah 6:6–8

Let’s not try to impress God or others. Let’s seek to obey Him — in our homes, in our marriages, and in every part of life. ///