Preparing You to Be The Bride of Christ ― Part 2
Whether you’re the bride, the groom or a guest, one of the main stresses of a wedding is what to wear.
We all want to look our best at a wedding. However, all eyes are only on one person—the bride—and there’s usually a heightened curiosity around what she’s wearing.
Not surprisingly, the North American television show, “Say Yes to the Dress” soared to popularity shortly after its debut in 2007 for showcasing the challenges of brides shopping for a wedding dress, and the advice they receive to land the perfect bridal outfit.
God also wants His Son’s bride to be perfectly dressed. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are the Church, the one that Jesus, the Son of God chose to be His bride (Ephesians 5: 25-27).
God, in His wisdom, ensured that there would be no human dysfunctions and frustrations when we marry His Son, the Lamb (John 1:29). He gave every believer (bride) a robe of fine linen for the big day!
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean was given to her to wear.” (Revelations 19:7-8)
Say yes
Revelations 19:8 goes on to define fine linen not as a physical material, but as righteous acts of God’s people. The Amplified Bible translates this as “the ethical conduct, personal integrity, morale courage and godly character of believers.”
Therefore, to receive your robe of fine linen, you must first say yes to Jesus Christ as your Saviour. When you say yes to Jesus, you’re also saying yes to preparing for your bridegroom, the Lamb. You do so by stitching together a spiritual fabric, act by act, to create a perfect wedding garment.
Yes, we can all be arrayed in fine linen, the most expensive material crafted by God without human touch!
2nd Preparation—Start serving now
Serving is the second step in preparing yourself to be the bride of Christ. View the other steps.
With each act of service, you’ll be stitching together another piece of your wedding garment
Here are four ways to begin serving:
- Do good to someone everyday: encourage, help, send a text, spend time with a lonely person, and show someone you care.
- Don’t just visit Church, serve: you’re a valuable member of your church. God needs your gifts, talents and time.
- Give: when you give to others you activate the grace of giving so that God can give you the ability to give more.
- Pray. Intercede for your church. Most people go to prayer meetings for their own needs. Great! Pray also for God’s heartbeat, the love of His life—His Church
Sorry, you don’t get to fuss about the color or style of your bridal outfit. Jesus your Bridegroom has that covered!
How have you been preparing to be a bride of Christ? Email chayil@patfrancis.org to share your story with us.
