27 Dresses

Have you ever seen the movie “27 Dresses”? I loved it! It’s a romantic comedy about a single woman who has served as a bridesmaid 27 times! She struggles on number 28 with the idea of supporting her sister at the altar in spite of having fallen helplessly in love with her sibling's handsome fiancé. For as far back as she can remember she has given up her own happiness for the sake of those she loves most. As she comes to grips with her true feelings, her life begins to change in ways she never expected.

For those of us who have been brides, hopefully, it was an amazing day that we will never forget. Some of you have been dreaming of that day since you were a little girl and most likely have it already planned out. Did you know that your Maker is your husband – the Lord Almighty is His name (Isaiah 54:5)?

Many people of the Christian church are unaware of our wonderful calling as the Bride of Christ. Isaiah 62:3-5 says, “The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see — a splendid crown in the hand of God. Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride. Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem, just as a young man commits himself to his bride. Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.” 
    

When we refer to the church as the Bride of Christ, we are talking about a relationship with Jesus while we are still here on earth (the true Wedding Day will take place when we are in heaven with Him). This relationship with Him is so close and so spiritually intimate, that the best metaphor to portray is that of a bride and groom. If you think of the bond that you share with your spouse, the closeness that you enjoy, and the pleasure that you receive from one another, it is just a small glimpse of the everlasting relationship with Jesus Christ. The amazing truth is that our God has chosen us! He pursued us and purified us so that we may be His Bride!

I love what David Wilkerson says about the Bride of Christ, “The Bride of Christ rests in His love. She is confident He knows where she is, how she feels, what she is going through, and what is best for her. His loves gives her peace and calm. She knows He will not allow anything that will cut her off from Him or hurt her. He is going to preserve her because He said, ‘She’s mine!’”

What must we do as the Bride of Christ? We must realize the importance of Christ being first in our life. We must wear His name! Peter said that "neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). We must not commit spiritual adultery by becoming worldly! “Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:2-3).

I challenge you to seek that deeper and more intimate relationship with Christ. He does not only want to be our salvation but our bridegroom! Ephesians 5:25-27 says, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”