Do You "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"?

SHOWING LOVE FOR OUR MARRIAGE MATE

Jehovah performed the first marriage by creating Adam and Eve and bringing them together.  He purposed for them to have a happy, enduring union and to fill the earth with their offspring.  (Genesis 1:27, 28) However, rebellion against Jehovah's sovereignty marred the first marriage and brought sin and death to all mankind.  (Romans 5:12) Nevertheless, the Scriptures tell us how we can succeed in marriage.  They contain the very best counsel on this subject because they originate with Jehovah, the Originator of marriage. 

God's Word shows that love-warm personal attachment or deep affection-is essential for humans to enjoy happy relationships. This is certainly true in  marriage.  In words directed to the congregation, the apostle Paul said:  "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice at unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Reflecting on and applying such inspired words will surely increase the joys of marriage.

Because of the headship principle that exists throughout God's arrangement of things, love is especially important. Paul explained: "I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn, the head of a woman is the man; in turn, the head of the Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) But headship is not to to be exercised in a domineering way. For example,m Jehovah exercises his headship over Christ in a kind, unselfish way, and Jesus responds to it. He appreciates God's loving headship, for he declared:  "I love the Father." (John 14:31)  It is unlikely that Jesus would have felt that way had Jehovah been harsh or dictatorial in his dealings with his beloved Son.

Although a husband is the head of his wife, the Bible instructs him to 'assign her honor.' (1 Peter 3:7) One way husbands can honor their wives is by taking into consideration their needs and giving them first choice in some matters.  Indeed, God's Word states:  "Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation and gave himself up for it." (Ephesians 5:25) Yes, Jesus even gave his life for his followers. When a husband imitates the loving way in which Jesus exercises headship, it is  much easier for a wife to love and respect him and be in subjection to him. -Read Titus 2:3-5.  

Next time: Do You "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"? - HAVE LOVE FOR FELLOW WORSHIPPERS

From The Watchtower magazine