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THE BRIDE OF CHRIST (II)
LORD’S DAY, MAY 3
Ephesians 5:21-32
Colossians 3:18-19
 
“So ought men to love
their wives as their own bodies.”
 
THE BRIDE OF CHRIST (II)
 
Certainly, the analogy of the Church in relation to Christ is the analogy of the response of love. Such a loving marriage relationship is described by Paul in Colossians 3:18-19.
 
As it is natural that the husband should be the initiator in wedded love, so in the love between Christ and the Church, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Just as one naturally is grieved when love is not met with responsiveness, but rather with coldness, so Christ is grieved by spiritual indifference. The Church by the promptings of the Holy Spirit must respond in love to the love of Christ. The whole context shows that the kind of submission and subjection which is here referred to is that of mutual love. Christ displays loving headship, and the Church responds with loving submission.
 
The purpose of the subjection of love in the Church to the love of Christ is further stated, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:26-27).
 
The love of Christ in the mystical union between Christ and the Church finds a vivid expression in the following words, “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh” (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:5). “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Eph 5:28-33).
 
THOUGHT: Have I been loving to my wife?
PRAYER: More love to Thee, O Lord!

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