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A Gift for Your Spouse Wrapped in Two Verses

Glen Solberg
6 days ago3 min read


If you are a Christ-follower, you will likely agree with this statement: “The greatest gift ever given was God the Father sending Christ the Son so we could be reconciled to God.” I think most Christians reading that statement would agree with it.

 

But now let me bring the greatest gift thought a little closer to home: “Assuming that both you and your spouse are Christ-followers, what is the greatest gift you can give your spouse this year?”  Ponder that important question for a moment or two before you keep reading.

 

You might be thinking about past gifts you gave your spouse. Remember that one birthday when she was so excited after opening your gift. What joy she had that day! Or maybe it was on your anniversary one year, and your husband was all smiles after unwrapping your gift. He still talks about that every once in a while.

 

Maybe you are thinking about that special gift you wanted to get her last Christmas, but the store sold out of them before you could get there. Or possibly you were thinking of that pair of work-boots your husband has so needed but has postponed getting for himself. Maybe this year will be the right time for that special gift.

 

Well, let me share two simple Bible verses that tell us what I believe is the greatest gift you can give your spouse this year:

 

He (Jesus) is the One we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.  Colossians 1:28-29 (emphasis mine)

 

About these two verses, Warren Wiersbe shares: In this epistle to the Colossians, we have met Paul the preacher, sharing the Gospel, and Paul the prisoner, suffering for the Gentiles. Now we meet Paul the prayer warrior, striving in prayer for the individual saints that they might mature in the faith. (1)

 

So Paul’s mission and calling was focused on the goal to “present everyone fully mature in Christ”. First, helping men and women to know Jesus – the One who died and was raised for them. And then discipling them to follow Him and, in that process, become more like Him.  

 

We hear this in other places in Scripture as well:

  • And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

  • For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29

  • Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.  Ephesians 4:15.

  • But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.

 

The New Testament, in these passages and other places, exhorts us strongly to the goal of becoming more like Christ. It is the Lord’s mission for us, and the reason He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His Church as resources to help us be changed into His image.

 

So now you know the answer to my question for you: “Assuming that both you and your spouse are Christ-followers, what is the greatest gift you can give your spouse this year?” Growing in Christlikeness is the greatest gift you can give your husband or wife this year! And I might add, it is the goal of your life of following Christ as well.

 

And if you need one more exhortation to do this, hear John the Baptist’s own testimony in John 3:30, “He must become greater, and I must become less”.

 

 

 

Pondering this Article/Post:

  • How do you think you have done in the last 6-12 months in growing in Christlikeness? What evidence would you give?




  • What are at least 2 action steps that you can commit to doing over the next 6 months to continue growing to be like Christ? (Consider asking a close friend to hold you accountable to do these)




  • Write out a prayer to the Lord below, expressing your desire to grow to be like Him, and committing to your action steps listed above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Further Study/Reflection on Growing in Christlikeness:

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

(1) Warren Wiersbe - Bible Commentary on Colossians Chapter 1.

 

Written by Glen Solberg, Abiding Marriage, February 2025. Send comments or questions to

 

Photo by Corina Rainer on Unsplash

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