WEEK 4 - REAWAKENING TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Church was purchased by Christ, initiated by Christ, and is under the ownership and leadership of Christ. He is in the position to tell us the purpose and function of the Church, and we are to submit to His ownership and headship. Think about Jesus’ intent for the Church and how we are to live into that intent. Pray for an open heart.
DAY TWENTY SIX - THE CHURCH AS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST - KEN BALDES
Ephesians 5:22-33
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
The heading in my Bible for today’s passage of Scripture reads, “Wives and Husbands,” so it’s not surprising that most of the time we read this section of Scripture through that lens. But as I read today’s passage through a different frame of reference, the Church as the Bride of Christ, the passage is even more convicting.
Christ’s love for His Bride, the Church, and His desire to see its beauty and splendor is front and center. Do you see it?
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross makes it possible for His Bride to be purified and purged from sin. Today’s passage aligns with John 17:17–19 when Jesus prays in the garden, “sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.” If Christ’s heart for His Bride is to be set apart, dedicated, and made holy, how are we to prepare for that glorious day?
Preparation is key with weddings. I’m reminded of this again as my son, Jeremy, and his fiancée, Sydney, prepare for their wedding in June. They have spent a lot of time intentionally choosing a venue, photographer, wedding party, and guests.
How are you intentionally preparing the Bride of Christ for His return? Perhaps, like me, your heart is broken with this sobering reminder.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Ask God what wedding attire you need to put on (see Colossians 3:12–14).
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the sanctifying work that He wants to do in your church or ministry.
3. Pray that the Lord will open your eyes to the truths He wants you to teach or speak about in 2022.