The Bride of Christ (4)

"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).

In addition to "love, honor, and obey," one parallel that can be drawn between our marriage relationships and the church’s relationship as the bride of Christ is the need to forsake all others.

In Luke 5:1-11, after the men had fished unsuccessfully throughout the night, Jesus told them to again let down their net. This time, their catch was so great the boats started to sink because of the weight of the fish. When Jesus told Peter and the others that he would make them fishers of men, they forsook all and followed Jesus (Luke 5:11). As Christians, we ought to have the willingness to forsake those things that can draw us away from Christ.

As Christians, we must be willing to give up the pleasures of sin, knowing that the pleasures of sin are only for a season (Hebrews 11:24-25). Whereas the pleasures of sin are only temporary, the consequences of sin are eternal. Those persons who do not live a life of faithful service to God will experience an eternal punishment in hell (Matthew 25:41, II Thessalonians 1:7-9).

As Christians, we ought to realize the need to part with the world. Paul realized that when he was crucified with Christ, he was crucified unto the world (Galatians 6:14, 20).