The Bride of Christ

Several times in the Bible we are related through metaphors to a bride. We are to be the "Bride of Christ". A very interesting point of view popped into my mind while I was reading a book by Matthew McGee titled "Shaken Not Shattered". He says, "Marriage is not a relationship based on compromise; it is built on sacrifice. The nature of compromise says, 'What's in it for me?' Sacrifice says, 'No matter what, for better or worse, I'll do what it takes because I'm in it for you.'" Now listen to the standard wedding vows used in most traditional weddings, "Do you promise in covenant before God and these witnesses to be a wedded husband or wife - faithful in plenty and in want, in joy and sorrow, in sickness and health, for better or worse, forsaking all others, and giving yourself only to the other as long as you both shall live?"

Re-read that as many times as it take for it to sink in what that vow is really about. I know I had to read it twice.

Now, the application. If we are the bride of Christ, do we treat Him as our husband? Do we promise in covenant before God and these witnesses (acknowledging Christ before men), to be a wedded wife - faithful in plenty and in want, in joy and sorrow, in sickness and health, for better or worse, forsaking all others, and giving yourself only to Him as long as you both shall live? Do we take that to heart? Do we realize that this is what He asks of us? If we are to be the "bride" of Christ, we should probably live up to our vows. In our lives (relationships) and especially unto Him.