RUNAWAY BRIDE

As the groom stands at the front of the church, his best friends behind and the preacher in front, an overwhelming sense of joy floods his heart. Out of all the girls in the world, the groom has selected one that wants to make the everyday choice to love him. Even though she may not be the pure girl the dress states, to the groom all that matters is she is committing her love to him for the rest of his life. But the sad truth is that more often then not the promises of that day vanish beneath lies of deception or the weight of life’s circumstances. Instead of happily ever after, people are left with scars of love’s past and thousands of memories they wish they could forget.

Often times a person suffering from the heart ache of divorce will feel absolutely alone and that no one else understands. But there is someone who does understand, way better than anyone. That person is Jesus Christ, who died to save us from our sins. Jesus sacrificed himself for millions of people who deny that he is God, deny that they need him, or even deny his existence. His heart aches for every person to come to him so they experience his love, but like an un-interested spouse people want nothing to do with him.

The Church is no better than the rest of the world. Instead of being the loving bride of Christ, uplifting her husband, we chase after own desires. When we are suppose to be working together to spread the message of the gospel we waste time arguing over words. While we should be seeking to bring God the glory, we seek after huge offering and mega-attendance. The American church is not the beautiful bride of Christ, glorious and without spot or wrinkle. No she is the wife who long ago abandoned her vows and only affiliates herself with the husband when it is a matter of self-preservation.

It is time we as the church stop pursuing our denominational creeds and start following Jesus. Instead of trying to fill our pews using popular programs, let us return to the message of truth. The truth is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who gave his life as ransom for us all.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore,  just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own 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 the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.   Ephesians 5:22-32 (NKJV)