Day 31: Preparing the Bride of Christ
Intention
We must prepare the bride of Christ without spot or wrinkle as we seek God in troubling times.
Scripture
“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.”—Ephesians 5:27
Reflection
We are in difficult times, but God is using this time for the preparation of the bride of Christ where she—we—will be without spot or wrinkle.
Let us look at Ephesians 5:27 and some key words in that verse that show an incredible transformation. The Greek word for spot is spilos, and it means fault or moral blemish. In the Greek, wrinkle is rhytis, and it refers to a fold, especially a wrinkle on the face. Hagios is the Greek word for holy, sacred and pure. And the Greek word amomos is translated blameless or faultless.
Isn’t this amazing! For the believer, the Father is, in His own inimitable way, making us like His son Jesus so that we will be ready to be the pride and proceed into the marriage supper of the Lamb.
This calls to mind another Scripture, Song of Songs 4:7, which reads, “You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you.” This poetic expression in Song of Songs is a powerful illustration of who we are because of Jesus.
When we come to Jesus and make Him the Lord of our lives, we allow Him to change us. This process is called sanctification. I believe that Father God puts a desire in each of our hearts to be more like Jesus. Then He shapes us to become mature sons so that we will be more like Jesus, and reflect Him more fully in our lives.
Consider also 1 John 3:3—“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” Here the Greek word for pure is hagnos, and it means chaste, modest, and pure from carnality.
When I was a new Christian, I often found myself crying to the Lord, asking Him to forgive me. This is part of the sanctification process that we should welcome into our lives. God promises that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
At times I felt like I lived in 1 John 1:9 because of my stumbling as a new believer—it even happens now at times. I am so grateful that there is complete cleansing through the blood of Jesus.
We need this cleansing. One day, each of us will stand before Jesus and have our lives examined—whether we did the will of the Father.
As we look into the face of Jesus and spend time in His presence, He speaks to us, He shows us what is going on deep down in our hearts. When we are rushing around, we cannot hear His voice so clearly. Aim for the quiet times—give your heart to Him afresh.
Hear the words of 1 Peter 4:17—“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
Today, He is looking into our hearts and drawing each one of us with cords of love to come home to His heart. It is not about church attendance or how many Scriptures one knows—it is a heart relationship.
Our relationship is about love, and we love Him because He first loved us. In this intense season, we have an opportunity to respond to the Lord as the Holy Spirit draws us. Let His love and His fire burn deep in our hearts and change us. One glimpse of Jesus will change you forever!
Prayer
Dear Jesus, make us spotless for You, holy for the Father, and on fire to win hearts for you.
31 Days Prayer Points
1. Pray for five people and share the Good News of Jesus with them.
2. Pray that God would use His people to reach one billion people this May.
3. Pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, both in Australia and globally.
Nel Farnik and her husband Kym run a prophetic ministry called Ruach haKodesh.
www.ruach-hakodesh.com/celebrate-israel
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