Be the Bride

"Christianity's not a religion, it's a relationship" is a favorite saying from the old senior pastor at my church. Now on a lexical level, we can all agree that the statement isn't true since "religion" simply means a particular system of faith and worship. But the point that the statement is driving at is true. Christianity is focused on having a relationship with Christ.

But what is the relationship? We throw around relational terms when it comes to us and the Lord, but we don't often define the relationship. Well Jesus does, and it's quite simple really. We're his bride. He is our fiancé and we are his betrothed.

In Ephesians 5 Paul tells us some remarkable things about marriage. He says,

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 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. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband" (Eph 5:25-33, ESV, emphasis added).

This tells us that the mystery of marriage is an image of Christ and the church. In marriage, husbands play the part of Christ and wives play the part of the church.

What does this tell us about our life as Christians?

I would suggest that even though we throw relational terms around in spiritual conversations (I talked with the Lord, I heard the voice of the Lord, etc.) we don't actually conceive of our life with Christ in those relational terms. I, at the very least, am prone to think more in terms of tasks and events than I am to think in terms of a person and moments.

One very simple way of seeing this, is in our Scripture reading as compared to how we talk to our significant other (or a close friend if you're single). When speaking with our S. O. we don't focus on the words they're saying as much as we focus on the person. The meaning they're wanting to convey to us through those words and what that tells us about them as a person.

When my girlfriend tells me about her day, I'm not listening so that I can poke holes in her story, ascertain a potential hidden meaning behind the different events in her day, or even hoping for encouragement to get me through the rest of my day. I'm listening so that I can understand her better as a person, to know who she is, and what experiences she went through today.

How often when we read Scripture do we do the first though? Sometimes we are looking for opportunities to dismiss Christ and his message. Hopefully those times are few and far between. Other times we are studying it in an almost academic way, or perhaps a literally academic way (one of the hazards of going to school for theology). And other times we come to Christ's word simply for some encouragement to get through our own day.

We very rarely read Scripture because we want to get to know Christ the person. Because we want to know the experiences he went through so that we understand him better. However, our nature as his bride demands that of us. Why wouldn't we want to get to know the person we will be espoused to for all eternity?

Now, there's nothing inherently wrong about coming to Scripture for encouragement. I often go to my girlfriend for encouragement, and for wisdom. She's great that way. If that was the only reason I ever spoke to her though, I'd be in big trouble! And she would probably not have a good time dating me. 

I would encourage you therefore, go to Scripture for the purpose of seeing Christ's person regularly. Even more regularly than you go for wisdom, or encouragement. Maybe you'll find those along the way. I can guarantee though, that if you endeavor to find out more about who Christ is, you will fall deeper in love with him. It's unescapable. Let the magnificence and loveliness of his person draw you in.