Ephesians 5:24-25 (NKJV) The Lord commanded the husbands to love their wives and the wives to respect their husbands. This is because the Lord knows how He created us: women tend to relate more on the emotional love level, while men tend to relate more on a respect level If this is not understood, men will give women what they, themselves naturally need, which is respect, while women will give men what they themselves naturally need; which is love If we miss this, the basic need of our love one will be lacking God’s plan is backed by His power Husbands are to follow the example of Christ in the way they love their wives. First, the love of Christ was extended to us before we requested it or changed our actions. (Romans 5:8) Therefore, Wives should not have to earn their husbands’ love. Second, Jesus took our blame and bore our punishment. Men should protect their wives at all cost The Lord also promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). A wife needs the security of knowing that her husband is committed to her Ephesians 5:26 (NKJV) Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. He set the church apart and cleansed it by His Word. Ephesians 5:27 (NKJV) The Lord is not coming back for a tore up, weak, pathetic, and defiled bride. He’s coming back for a glorious church (1 Corinthians 15:25) Jesus gave Himself for the church (His bride) on the cross, that action cleansed her, and made her glorious, without spot or wrinkle Ephesians 5:28 (NKJV) Paul used the way Jesus loves us and views us, as an example of how husbands should love and view their wives. God’s kind of love must be learned. It requires God, the author of love, to teach us to love others the way He loves us Ephesians 5:29 (NKJV) Ephesians 5:30 (NKJV) Just as people love and cherish their own bodies, Christ cherishes His own body, which is us. Ephesians 5:31 (NKJV) Marriage begins by leaving behind, forsaking, and abandoning all other relationships, then cleaving and bringing forth a new and lasting relationship of oneness. The word for “cleave” means “to cling to, to stick to, keep close, stay close, follow close and be joined together” Ephesians 5:32 (NKJV) Paul is actually describing the way Christ loves and relates to His bride, the church. The church is supposed to be submitted to Jesus as their Lord Jesus is the Head of the body, His church and He takes responsibility for our protection. This is why Jesus left His Father and came to earth–so He might be joined together to us. Ephesians 5:33 (NKJV) Husbands are commanded to love their wives, and wives are commanded to respect their husbands. How to release the power of love and respect Go with God’s plan and get God’s power Respond to the Love of God, by loving like God Understand the power of your words Make a wholehearted commitment to be one with Jesus Believe the God in people is bigger than their flaws