Kingdom Husband: The Call to Love. Serve. Lead.

Via The Joshua Commission

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” ~‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭

I Am a Kingdom Man

“If I am a husband, I love and serve my wife.”

As Kingdom Men, our call and command to love and serve our wives is as big as it gets. Scripture equates it to the love Jesus has for His church. Only the Father holds greater affection.

That command is simple to say but hard to understand—and even harder to live out. That’s not an excuse; it’s reality. No marriage is perfect (not even yours), because the cord of marriage is woven from many strands—and at least two of them are human. Others may include faith, religiosity, desires, dreams, disappointments, finances, in-laws, careers, vices, children, and more.

Of course, we want the cord of marriage to have just three strands—husband, wife, and Jesus—but unless we are as in tune with our wives as Jesus was with the Father, that ideal won’t be our everyday reality.

So since our marriages exist outside of Eden, what tools can we use to live up to the calling God—and our wives—have for us, and if we’re honest, that we have for ourselves?

1: One Mission, Two Equals

First and foremost, our wives are our equals. Period. She is a co-heir and co-laborer, a lover, a teacher, a warrior, a leader, and a queen. Our roles and functions are complementary—neither greater nor lesser. Both husband and wife are wholly designed and made in God’s image before ever meeting one another. When God created Eve as a “helper,” (Gen 2:18) He used the same word David later used in the Psalms 121 when he said, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalms 121:1-2).

That’s not domination—that’s sacred partnership, via devotion and covenant.

2: Win Together, Not Against Each Other

Anchoring ourselves in that truth, my wife is my equal,  allows us to stand strong when the other strands test our marriages. We must work and fight as a team. We have to stay on the same side. That doesn’t mean we’ll always agree on the issue—it means we agree that the issue is the issue, not each other. The issue is what we fight, not one another.

3: Protect Your Decisions 

A practical tip: Don’t make decisions in front of others—big or small. Whether someone invites you to dinner or you’re considering an offer on a new home, your deliberations are private. Others can share opinions, but only yours matter when it’s time to act. Your marriage is your marriage, and it only needs to work for the two of you.

THE KINGDOM MAN’S CREED

I am a Kingdom Man. I am created by God to bear His image. I am a son and viceroy for my Fathers work. I am a warrior, lover, teacher and king.

I am a Kingdom Man. Like Joshua, I will be strong and courageous. I will train my mind and body for the battles to come. I will discipline my heart, eyes and tongue to be steadfast and faithful to the calling on my life.

I am a Kingdom Man. If a husband, I love and serve my wife, if a father, a loving father to my children. I will love and lead them as Christ loves the Church. If a brother, uncle, guardian, mentor or friend, I will give honor in all of my relationships. I will lead, teach, correct and train in the spirit of righteousness.

I am a Kingdom Man. I am called to break down barriers and free others from strongholds. I am a Peace Maker. My armor is Truth, Righteousness, Grace and Humility. I will stand in the gap for my neighbor to defend gospel justice for the marginalized. 

I am a Kingdom Man. God is my provider. He has given me gifts and talents to exemplify Him with the work of my hands. I will work with diligence and excellence. My labor will be honest and its fruits purposeful.

I am a Kingdom Man with a Kingdom vision. Commissioned by Christ. My life is the Father’s. I am intentional. I will grow in my faith, be consistent in my actions and leave a legacy worthy of the race I have run.

I AM a Kingdom Man!