In the grand narrative of the Bible, the relationship between Christ and the Church is often depicted as a marriage, with Christ as the bridegroom and the Church as His bride. As believers, we are part of this bride, called to prepare ourselves for the return of our bridegroom. This preparation involves keeping our "wedding garments" clean, symbolizing our spiritual purity and holiness.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV), "Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." While the blood of Jesus has washed us clean from the filth of our sin, it is our responsibility to maintain this cleanliness, to keep ourselves from all spiritual defilement. This involves actively distancing ourselves from worldly pleasures and influences that can stain our wedding garments.
James 1:27 (NIV) provides a practical guide on how to live out this purity: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." True religion, in the eyes of God, involves caring for the vulnerable and maintaining personal purity.
So, how do we keep ourselves pure and unspotted from the world? The scriptures highlight three key practices:
The Fear of the Lord: Psalm 19:9 (NIV) says, "The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous." Reverence and awe for God, acknowledging His holiness and our need for His grace, is the beginning of wisdom and a key to living a pure life. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) echoes this, stating, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 8:13 (NIV) further defines the fear of the Lord, saying, "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."
Being Washed in the Water of the Word: Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV) reads, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." Regularly immersing ourselves in God's Word purifies our minds and aligns our hearts with His.
Expecting the Return of Our Bridegroom: 1 John 3:2-3 (NIV) encourages us, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." Living in the light of Christ's return motivates us to live pure and holy lives.
In addition to these practices, the scriptures also call us to a life of holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV) says, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" Similarly, 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) reminds us that God "has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace." Leviticus 20:26 (NIV) also calls us to be holy, saying, "You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
These scriptures remind us of our call to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes. They also highlight the importance of fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and understanding. This fear is not about being afraid, but about having a deep reverence and awe for God's holiness and majesty. It's about recognizing His authority over our lives and choosing to live in obedience to His commands.
As we anticipate the return of our bridegroom, Jesus Christ, let us strive to keep our wedding garments clean, living lives of holiness and purity. We want to be ready for His return, unashamed and radiant in His presence.
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