The Bible says in Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.” 

Some translations read “gave Himself up for it.”  Your wife must know that she comes before the children and before your own mother and father.  “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife.”

Joyce knows that she is number one of all the people on the face of this earth.  In my life, she is number one.  And I know beyond the shadow of any doubt that I am number one in Joyce’s life.  That gives me a sense of security to think that of all of the people who live today or who have ever lived, there is one person who loves me more than any other person on the face of the earth.  What a feeling that is to my heart to know that she loves me that way.  And she is to know that I love her and that she is number one.  Therefore, I need to treat her as Christ treated the church—that Jesus gave Himself for the church.