Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION

19 Jan 2026

"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."
Ephesians 5:25-26

The pressures of modern life - demanding careers, constant digital distractions, and a culture that prioritizes personal fulfilment, often make it challenging for men to live out the kind of sacrificial love Scripture calls for in marriage. Many husbands feel stretched, fatigued, or unsure how to lead with tenderness while carrying heavy responsibilities.

Yet God’s Word gently reorients our understanding of love. Biblical love is not defined by intention or emotion alone, but by daily, self-giving action. Christ loved the Church by giving Himself up for her—cleansing, nurturing, and patiently shaping her through grace and truth. In the same way, a husband is invited to lay aside self-interest and serve his wife with humility, devotion, and consistency.

This love is not controlling or demanding. It is formative and life-giving. Through patient kindness, attentive presence, and gentle spiritual leadership, a husband creates a safe space where his wife can grow, heal, and flourish in her God-given identity. Such love reflects Christ’s heart—steadfast in weakness, merciful in failure, and faithful over time.

From a believer’s perspective, every day is a fresh invitation to choose Christlikeness in speech, attitude, and action. As husbands learn to love as Christ loves, marriage is transformed into a sacred covenant that reflects the redeeming and enduring love of Christ for His Church. It becomes a powerful witness of the Gospel within the home.

Ephesians 5:25–26 teaches that love, when shaped by Christ, is not only expressive but redemptive—aimed at holiness, grounded in the Word, and rooted in self-giving grace.

“How you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God.”