The PERFECT Husband -- The Ultimate BELOVED

Is there such a man as the perfect husband? One who loves his wife as his own body... nourishing and cherishing her, forsaking all others -- father, mother, (yes, children, too)... even his own self -- holding fast to his wife as his most precious gift from GOD above?

The perfect husband will not beat his wife (or children, nor kick the dog) when his Superbowl team doesn't win the championship game nor will he blame his wife that he lost the considerable amount of money he wagered. Rather, the perfect husband will be full of compassion and is gentle--he will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush those who are weak or quench the smallest hope.

Who is this husband who is completely secure in his identity as a man created in the image of GOD -- Almighty Creator of all things seen and unseen -- that he need not be jealous or boastful or proud or rude. He does not demand his own way. He is not irritable, and he keeps no record of when he has been wronged. He is not puffed up with worldly pleasures, sporty cars, a mansion-of-a-house abode or a top-rung-of-the-ladder-of-success job.

Rather he recognizes his need for GOD, he mourns over his sins, he is gentle and lowly, he hungers and thirsts for justice, he is merciful, pure in heart and a peacemaker.

Who is the perfect husband but he who is godly -- who loves GOD and His Word, and seeks to do His will in all things? He takes seriously the GOD-given responsibility of being head of his house, providing not just material comfort, but spiritual leadership so that his wife and children may grow into the knowledge of the LORD.

The perfect husband is non-existent on earth, for all mankind is fallible -- weak in their various imperfections. All of mankind has turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.

But there are imperfect husbands being perfected -- being made whole and complete, progressively being regenerated to live the Beatitude attitudes. These husbands are the saints of GOD -- those He has separated from the influence of the world and freed from the prince of the power of the air. They are servants of GOD -- serving others before themselves. These imperfect husbands who are being made perfect serve their families as they rule over them with utmost tenderheartedness and agape love.

These husbands are the most zealous of men for they are passionately after GOD's own heart, the tallest of men because they spend much time on their knees in prayerful supplications, the meekest of men because they have surrendered their rights to their rights to the lordship of CHRIST JESUS. These being-perfected imperfect husbands are the ones fully committed to being conformed into the image of CHRIST, their Lord of lords and King of kings.

And yet -- there is a perfect Husband for all humankind. He was first Husband to Israel, and now He is Husband to all who believe and trust in His Name. He is infinitely mighty to save the lost from sure destruction. He is abounding in mercy and forgiveness, patient and kind, slow to anger, faithful and in all ways always true, for He is the embodiment of Truth. He does not lie for He cannot lie -- He always keeps all His promises. He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." His bride will never ever be abandoned.

This perfect Husband is mine to call my very own -- and yet paradoxically, He is also the perfect Husband to all who are His very own... those hopelessly lost, hungry and thirsty, sick and tired, desperate and needy, stained and muddied, humbled and broken -- those who have come to the end of their ropes, their self-sufficiency, their useless faith in their good works as satisfactory appeasement for their sins against a thrice holy GOD.

My Husband has justified me, fully and thoroughly. It is finished! In His righteous robe, i can stand unflinching before the Judge. He empowers me towards holiness by His gift of the Comforter -- the indwelling Holy SPIRIT of the Triune GOD. He Himself will perfectly make me perfect when i meet Him face to face. (Or rather, face to feet -- for i will fall on my face and kiss His beloved feet with utmost reverence and blessed joy!)

The perfect Husband is my LORD JESUS, my Savior, my GOD. In CHRIST, i submit all. i surrender all that i have, all that i am -- to Him, for Him -- all are His to will for His pleasure and good purpose.

How could this wife not submit her all to such a perfect Husband?

For you see... i've broken the laws of GOD. i deserve GOD's punishment, for He hates sin. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD. He hates everyone who loves violence. He will not allow one single sin to go unpunished -- He is a just and righteous, and most holy GOD.

Just as in any court of law, a murderer, rapist, or even one who has but exceeded the speed limit must be judged and made to pay the penalty for having broken the law. i must pay the fine for my sins... the fine of death and eternal condemnation.

But my Husband, Who loves me even more than His own life, stood in my stead and received all the penalties i deserved for all my transgressions. He paid in full all my debts -- even my death sentence. He died for me so that i may truly live!

So now, one day at a time, alive indeed by grace through His death on the cross, and walking daily in the Reality of the surety of Heaven with the perfect Husband -- i live for JESUS... yet not i, but CHRIST Who lives in me.

May all repentant sinners be espoused to the perfect Husband -- CHRIST JESUS!