On Sunday we will finish up our series on relationships called “Happily Even After,” and we’ve taken a look at the apostle Paul’s introductory statement about marriage that is often misunderstood. In writing to the 
Ephesians, Paul says, “I want you to submit to one another.” And the word “submit” simply means, “I’m going to make your wishes, dreams, and desires a priority over mine.”
Paul says, “I want you to submit to one another,” and then here’s the kicker: not out of reverence for one another! You would expect him to say, “Bruce, submit to Tyra out of reverence to Tyra.” But Paul says, “No, that’s not what Christian marriage is. I want you to submit yourself to one another out of reverence — not for each other — but out of reverence for Christ. Your Savior. Who came to earth and paid for your sins. In light of all he’s done for you, I want you to show reverence, and respect, and submit to your spouse.”
This is such a powerful concept. It’s as if we say, “God, I’m so grateful for all 
you’ve done for me! I’m not nearly as bad of a jerk as I used to be, and things are changing in my life, you’ve given me grace and mercy; what can I do to show you how grateful I am?” And God says, “I want you to take all your passion, and all your gratitude, and everything you have on the inside toward me, and I want you to shower it down upon your spouse.”
“But God, can’t I go on a mission trip or something? This is about me and you!” And God says, “I want you to submit to your spouse — that is, put her, put him first — not because they’ve earned it; I want you to put your spouse first because I put you first.”
God says, “Go lay down your life for the one to whom you are married. It’s the best demonstration of gratitude you could show to me.” God wants us, out of reverence to him, to love our spouse the way God loves us.
