The Responsibilities of the Bride of Christ
Last week we studied about how the bride can be 'put away' if unfaithful. Let's look at a few areas where the church must be faithful or be rejected by Christ.
1. Be attractive for her husband – A godly wife must wear what a godly husband wants her to, when he wants her to. If she is going around dressed as a harlot, she will be punished. Christ wants our clothing to be clean and appropriate too.
“...that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26-27)
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8)
1st Timothy 2:9-10 says that a woman should wear modest clothes and instead of focusing on the wearing of fancy clothes and jewelry, we should be adorned with good works. There is so much to do in the church, we shouldn't have time for sinful activities.
2. Give herself totally to her husband. A wife belongs to her husband and to him alone. A divided heart leads to heartache.
“For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:4-5)
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
3. Be faithful to her husband for life. She cannot be with others or she will be put away.
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
“Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.” (1 Timothy 3:11)
If a deacon's wife must be faithful, how about Christ's wife?
We will explore more of this topic next week!