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 Ephesians 5:31-32 (NLT)  As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”  This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

Our relationship in marriage is a type of Christ and the Church.  We show Christ’s love for His Bride (us) by the way we treat each other.

Treating one another this way does not come naturally.  It won’t come accidentally, we have to do it on purpose!  It will take prayer…asking God to help us know how to put it into practice. 

I don’t hear people being referred to as “Gentlemen” and “Ladies” as I did years ago.  It sounds old fashioned…I haven’t used those terms lately either; maybe I will start, I like the way they sound.

Hmmm…gentleman…gentle, that describes how my God is with me. That also describes how my husband treats me.   He makes me feel like a lady, someone treasured.  It makes me want to honor and respect him.

This did not come naturally for either of us.  This gentleness, tenderness and respect, were things that were developed in our relationship.  We had to learn how to put them into practice.  We still make mistakes and hurt one another, from time to time.  But this happens less and less as the years pass and the character of Christ is formed in us more and more. 

We have also learned to ask forgiveness from the Lord and each other when our actions do not honor Christ in our marriage.  Saying I’m sorry and meaning it, can be a tough lesson to learn.  However letting the same hurt go on for days, and even years is much more painful and can eventually become fatal to a marriage. 

Treating each other with love and respect at home first and also in public settings is the aim.  It starts with loving thoughts.  There it is again, that same biblical concept, what starts in the mind and heart will manifest itself in our speech and actions. 

Guys, it is possible to be strong yet gentle and loving to your wife.  Girls, it is possible to give honor and respect to your husband.  Remember, when you are doing this to each other, you are doing it unto the Lord.  You are painting a picture to the world of the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Things to think about:  How do you treat your spouse when you are with other people relaxing, playing games, etc.  How do you treat each other in the home? 

Here are a few simple things you can start putting into practice at home as well as in public:

1. When you think loving thoughts about your spouse, don’t just think them, speak them.  

2.Reach out with loving touches such as a kiss on the cheek or an admiring look and smile from the wife or a gentle squeeze around the waist or protective arm on her shoulder, from the husband. 

These things are simple but a great start to a loving relationship. Don’t always wait for loving feelings, do the actions and the loving feelings will eventually follow.

You can be the first one to change for the good.  Ask God to help you and He will.  Don’t be discouraged and quit when things don’t seem to go right.  Just keep on doing the right thing.  It always pays off in the end!

Remember, you are not treating each other this way only for the sake of your spouse, for others, or for the sake of your children.  You are doing it because you love and honor your God.  Earthly and eternal benefits will follow!