The Bride of Christ (5)

"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, obey, and forsake all others," one parallel that can be drawn between our marriage relationships and the church’s relationship as the bride of Christ is the need to remain faithful "for richer or poorer, for better or worse, in sickness and in health."

To Timothy, Paul wrote, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (II Timothy 2:3). Just as a military soldier is to endure battle without giving up, we ought to endure our battles of life as good soldiers, without giving up.

The difficulties we encounter in our lives can often serve to strengthen us spiritually. To the church at Rome Paul wrote, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" (Romans 5:3-4). James wrote that the trying of our faith worketh patience (James 1:2-4).

The life of the apostle Paul serves as an example for us in that he remained loyal to Christ regardless of his situation in life. To the church at Philippi Paul wrote, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).