The Bride of Christ (1)

"Do you promise to love, honor, obey, and, absolutely forsaking all others, keep thyself only to him and be to him in all things a faithful and true wife, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part?"

For most of us, these words bring to mind the relationship between a husband and a wife, perhaps even your own relationship with your spouse. But these words could just as easily bring to mind the church’s relationship with Christ. There are a number of passages in the Bible that depict the church as the bride of Christ. Paul wrote, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (II Corinthians 11:2).

One obvious parallel that can be drawn between our marriage relationships and the church’s relationship as the bride of Christ is that love must be present in order for the relationship to continue. Paul wrote that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25). The older women are to teach the younger women to love their husbands (Titus 2:4). I learn from this that loving your spouse entails more than having a "warm feeling" for one another. Love necessitates a particular type of behavior toward one another. It was God’s love for us that made the church possible (John 3:16, Ephesians 5:25). We ought to love Christ because of what he has done for us (I John 4:19).

Our lives should be reflections of our love for Christ. While many people verbally profess to love Christ, Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Loving Christ also includes loving our brother. If a man says he loves God but does not love his brother, he is a liar (I John 4:20).

From the church’s relationship as the bride of Christ, we can make an application for each of us as individuals. We ought to love the church because it is the bride of Christ. We should never forget that when we hurt Christ’s church we hurt Christ (Acts 8:1-3, 9:3-5).