Are You Ready to be a Bride of Jesus?

(condensed)

Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. When we accept Jesus’ proposal as our Lord and Savior we are agreeing to honor, love, and obey. So, in a manner of speaking, God will become our Father-in-Law. Along those same lines, those that never join the family will remain outlaws. It’s your choice - you will either be in or out - by law.

Now, once you try to join the family, you can’t get a divorce. Honor, love, and obey and you will have an eternal marriage - eternal life. If you don’t honor, love and obey, you must die - no divorce allowed.

          God, in His mercy, extends this offer of an intimate relationship to all that will honor, love, and obey. All who reject it will die. Do you think you are above the angels? Even angels that fail to honor, love, and obey God will die - think of Satan and his minions. God is merciful; but, He is also just and righteous. In His mercy, when you accept Jesus’ proposal, He will allow Jesus to present you as a virgin bride - spotless and without sin - ready for marriage. It is then up to you to stay that way until the marriage.

Jesus has not yet returned for His bride - the marriage is pending. Never forget that Jesus’ marriage analogy is based on the Jewish view of marriage at that time. Once you accept the proposal - become engaged in modern terms - you are obligated to remain pure. Fail in that obligation and the marriage is off - you will die as an outlaw.

          Jesus paid a very dear price to clean you up; but, this cleaning is not an ongoing process - you can’t keep nailing Him to the cross every day. He cleaned you up - now you have to stay that way. Neither Jesus nor God wants anyone of us to fail to be ready for the marriage. Jesus knew this wouldn’t be easy so He asked God to send us help - the Holy Spirit.

          Even with the help of the Holy Spirit Jesus knew we might still slip up a little. For that reason, Jesus also told us of a way for us to try to clean what few stains we may have. It is called forgiveness. He taught us that if we forgive those who trespass against us, then our trespasses will be forgiven against us too - we will still be clean and ready for marriage. If you don’t forgive others you can’t stay clean and you will die as an outlaw.

          Love, honor, and obey God; trust in the sacrifice of Jesus; and forgive others.

 So, are you ready to be a bride of Jesus?

 

In Brotherly Love,

 

Wayne