The concept of the “Bride of Christ” is a metaphor found in the New Testament of the Bible. It’s all about the intimate relationship between Jesus Christ and us, His followers, depicting the Church as the bride and Christ as the bridegroom. This relationship is often described in terms of being “not of this world,” emphasizing the distinctiveness and separateness of believers.
The Bride-Church Relationship is found in the writings of the apostle Paul. In his letter to the Ephesians (5:25-27), Paul compares the selfless love of a husband for his wife to the sacrificial love of Christ for the Church. This analogy highlights the deep connection and commitment between Christ and His followers. It implies that believers are called to be devoted to Christ, just as a bride is devoted to her husband. As the Bride of Christ, the Church is called to share in His mission, reflecting His character and values in the world.
The problem is we as a people are stuck in a toxic relationship with “the world”. The world and it’s desires are how the Bible describes the sin nature that breaks, stains and perverts God’s plan for his creation. In the Gospel of John (17:14-16), Jesus prays for His disciples, acknowledging that they are not of the world, just as He is not of the world. He emphasizes that while believers are physically present in the world, their identity, allegiance, and values are distinct from the prevailing worldly systems. As the Bride of Christ, believers are called to live in a manner that stands apart from the values and standards of the world, seeking to honor God and follow His ways. Being the bride of Christ means first you must “Divorce the world!”.
Another aspect of the Bride of Christ concept is the idea of transformation and holiness. In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation is a continuous process by which believers are conformed to the image of Christ, growing in holiness and righteousness. As the Bride of Christ, the Church is called to embody and reflect the character of Christ in their lives, manifesting His love, grace, and truth to the world.
The concept of the Bride of Christ also points to the ultimate destiny of believers. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). This statement underscores the idea that believers are not ultimately citizens of this world, but citizens of the heavenly kingdom. As the Bride of Christ, believers anticipate the return of Jesus Christ, who will bring the ultimate fulfillment of their relationship with Him and establish His eternal kingdom.
The metaphor of the Bride of Christ beautifully captures the intimate and transformative relationship between Jesus Christ and us, his followers. Being “not of this world” refers to the separation, distinctive values, and ultimate destiny of believers. As the Bride of Christ, the Church is called to live in a manner that reflects Christ’s character and seeks to honor God. This means divorcing the world and abandoning the prevailing worldly systems, being transformed into His likeness, and anticipating the fulfillment of our heavenly citizenship. By understanding and embracing the identity of the Bride of Christ, we can find purpose, meaning, and hope as we live out our faith in a world that is not our home. This is why we day Love God, love each other, Divorce The World!
