Friday, February 18, 2011

Husbands: Headship Means Taking the Lead in Reconciliation

Some great thoughts from John Piper on the Husband being the initiator in reconciliation


"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ has loved the church and gave himself up for her"
Ephesians 5:25


In the Old Testament, God alludes to Israel as His wife. Here is just one example of God initiating reconciliation with His unfaithful people. In the same way, husbands, as leaders are called to love their wives. I pray God instills this kind of love in my heart.

"For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces, ....for you have played the whore, forsaking your God. You have loved prostitutes wages on all threshing floors"
Hosea 8:14-9:1

"I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow"
Hosea 14: 4-5


Per Justin Taylor's blog on the Gospel Coalition:

John Piper:

Leadership means we must take the lead in reconciliation.

I don’t mean that wives should never say they are sorry.

But in the relation between Christ and his church, who took the initiative to make all things new?

Who left the comfort and security of his throne of justice to put mercy to work at Calvary?

Who came back to Peter first after three denials?

Who has returned to you again and again forgiving you and offering his fellowship afresh?

So husbands, your headship means: Go ahead. Take the lead. It does not matter if it is her fault. That didn’t stop Christ.

Who will break the icy silence first?

Who will choke out the words, “I’m sorry, I want it to be better”?

Or: “Can we talk? I’d like things to be better.”

She might beat you to it. That’s okay. But woe to you if you think that, since it’s her fault, she’s obliged to say the first reconciling word.

Headship is not easy. It is the hardest, most humbling work in the world.

Protect your family. Strive, as much as it lies within you, to make peace before the sun goes down.

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