Live or Die

When there is only one serving of leftovers which Shorty and I both enjoy, an argument ensues. Not the kind you would expect where we are fighting to have it for ourselves, but rather we are fighting to give it away. Recently this happened, and the Crew said, "Why do y'all do that?!?" I told them it was because we love each other. We each desire the joy of the other above our own. 

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:22

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

I read an article earlier this week dealing with this command to husbands, but I can't think of one command without the other. Both commands call us to give ourselves away. Both demand that we be willing to set the desires of the other above our own. Which brought me around to thinking about Christ. He left heaven. He had enjoyed perfect community with the Father and the Spirit from eternity past, but He left for my sake. He came to earth as a baby. He felt hunger, thirst, pain, fatigue. He bound Himself to time and space so that He could earn righteousness and pay the debt of sin for His people! That is why my brothers and sisters around the world are willing to die to share the gospel. That is why we strive and pray and struggle to live our lives according to the commands of Scripture, even when it is unpopular.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:3-8
 
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
Colossians 3:16-19