A Christian’s Relationship With Christ

In Paul’s writing to the Ephesians, he made an allegory between a man’s relationship with his wife vs Christ’s relation to the church. This Paul did to establish an understanding of how Christ deals with his bride, the church of Christ. Let us examine what the scriptures has to say about our relationship with Christ.

Marriage and the Gospel

First of all, God joins together all legal marriages between one man and one woman. This was established in Genesis and continued throughout the scriptures. Gen 2:24 f; Eph 5:31  This union was intended to be till death do they part. Mt 19:8 The only exception for man was if his wife committed fornication. Then, and only then, was he allowed by the Lord’s decree to dissolve the marriage and marry again. Mt 19:9 As a man leaves his father and mother to become one flesh with his wife, even so Christians separate from this present world to become one with Christ. Eph 5:31 f; Lk 14:26,27

Even so, we are married to Christ by the means of our obedience to the gospel. If confessed believers repent and are baptized, they are added to the Lord’s church, and collectively become his bride. Rom10:9,10 ff; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:47 This marriage with Christ is intended forever, unless we fall away, and our candle is put out, that is, we are divorced from Christ. Rev 2:5 Israel was given a bill of divorcement because she went a-whoring after other gods. Jer 3 Therefore, Christ was freed from his marriage to Israel, that he might be married to another, that is, (the Gentiles) once we become dead to the law of Moses by being buried with Christ by baptism. Rom 7:2-4 f; Rom 6:3,4

Obedience

Paul established the relationship between a husband and a wife in broad terms. To the Corinthians Paul declared that man was the head of the woman even as Christ is the head of man. 1 Cor 11:3 To the Ephesians he said, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” Eph 5:22 In this one verse Paul made it clear that submission was voluntary, and not something that a husband should force upon his wife. In our relationship with Christ, Christians as well are asked to voluntary submit to Him. “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.” Eph 5:23-24

All Christians are to obey Christ in everything. This means we must worship exactly as Christ and his apostles commanded, and we are to abide by the doctrine of Christ with the same specificity. 1 Cor 4:6 f; 1 Pet 4:11 If we follow the doctrine of devils, (the commandments of men), we are disobeying our husband, Jesus Christ. Paul said it this way, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,” 1 Tim 4:1-2  And again he said, “Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. “ Titus 1:14 Therefore, when we teach for doctrines the commandments of men, we have departed from the faith which united us with Christ. In human terms, we have cheated on the Lord, and Christ has divorced us for infidelity, and will not restore us unless we repent and obey Christ as he commanded.­

Love

Paul described the greatest love ever expressed in human terms when he said, “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.” Eph 5:25-29 I don’t know of too many women who wouldn’t want a man who would love her as much as Christ loves his bride, the church. Therefore, husbands are honor bound to sacrifice their life and fortune for that of his own wife, and the wife is honor bound to reverence and obey her own husband. Eph 5:24,33 ff; Tit 2:3,5; 1 Tim 5:8

Christians therefore must also give reverence to their husband, Jesus Christ and are honor bound to abide by His law. John wrote, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9­­ As the husband provides security to his faithful wife, even so Christ provides security to his faithful bride. The inheritance to every faithful Christian is the promise of eternal life. Rev 2:10 f;Tit 1:2 All Christians are bound to Christ even as a wife is to her husband, as long as He lives, and Christ lives forever. Rom 2:3,4 f; 1 Cor 7:39

Conclusion: The analogy between the husband and wife allows us to see in basic terms how Christ is married to his church. Christ has already proven his love for us by dying for us, and providing our eventual inheritance. Jn 3:16 f; Acts 20:28 Now is the time for us to prove our love for Christ and obey him for he truly said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” Jn 14:15 We become the bride of Christ when we obey the gospel, and we remain a faithful bride when we abide by the doctrine of Christ and don’t go beyond that which was written. 2 Jn 9 f; 1 Cor 4:6 If you are prepared to take the hand of the Lord in marriage, his hand is stretched out still. Isa 9:17 Today, if you will hear his voice, now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation. Heb 3:7,8 f; 2 Cor 6:2