I once listened to a sermon in which the pastor said, “Marriage union kills a lot of lies”. Simple and profound, it felt like a noteworthy quote to chew on. It’s been almost a year since I wrote it down, and it’s evidently come to mind many times since then. I’m learning what it means to be the bride of Christ, to be loved by him, and to be in everlasting covenant with God. In this season of life, God is showing me what it looks like to ‘get ready’ as the Bride of Christ. I’m seeing that marriage to him kills many of the lies I’ve believed.
When I was afraid or I had forgotten my identity, the truth set me free. God has paid a high price for me– his own son as the redemption of my soul! He called me and marked me “The Lord’s” and set me apart for a holy purpose. Isaiah 43:1, “…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
When I’ve felt overlooked or insignificant, the truth washed over me. I am in covenant with the Lord Most High, who has seen me and has chosen me to be his people and him to be my God. Isaiah 54:5 “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”
When I felt my heart prone to wander from my first love, the truth sanctified me. The Lord’s love for me is relentless, and he faithfully pursues me regardless of the condition of my heart toward him. He makes me pure and he gives me my worth. Hosea 3:1, “And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.”
When I decided to strive or perform to keep his love, the truth corrected me. The Lord made a covenant with his people, but by no action of their own. Nothing I’ve done earned this covenant love, and nothing I do can keep it. He keeps it. By his grace I’m saved and united with him. Genesis 15:17-18 “When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram…”
When I feared that God would leave me or change his mind, the truth comforted me. He will always be faithful. He’s a God who stays. He will never cast me out. He remains steady and faithful and the same yesterday, today, and forever. 2 Timothy 2:13, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful–for he cannot deny himself.”
This is what it is to be in relationship with Jesus. He loves radically, he sacrifices himself, he sanctifies his bride, he cleanses her with the word, he delights in her. Ephesians 5:25-27 “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.”
Marriage to Christ does destroy lies. Try it! Think of a lie you’re believing and I guarantee that you will find the truth in the words and person of Jesus, and it will set you free. This is the gospel! Union with Jesus is our great hope and the promise of what’s to come. The Marriage of the Lamb is coming. What a delight! I cannot wait to see his face. So, let’s be a bride that gets herself ready.
Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!
