Do you ever find yourself so busy lamenting the ills of the bride of Christ that you get angry with her? True that she’s often a whore who dresses to impress whosoever may be interested in her, but Jesus compared his love for the Church with the love of a man for his wife. He is the church’s bridegroom after all, and no doubt she’s dirty, but he loves her evermore.
I know that as a Pastor’s wife I hear the butt-end of church business sometimes, and I’d be a liar if I didn’t tell you that I do feel resentment from time to time. However, as I read again of Christ’s love for the church I’m reminded of how I’m supposed to love the church. While it’s easy to throw my hands up and declare I’m more effective without this ‘business’ end of God’s work, I know that part of my calling is to uplift His church and serve Him through my service within her body.
I feel like I’m in a prison sometimes, honestly, as I have to walk out of a room where people are talking about me and my husband and walk into a room where I must teach a lesson of forgiveness or of pride or of gossip. But I DO know that it’s not really a prison if I can walk out of it tomorrow… and I can. A prisoner is not where they are voluntarily, but against their will, and with God, thankfully, we have free will to serve Him or to deny Him.
I choose to be where I am, serving and teaching with love (true love) for those I know will soon see the error of their ways and repent. I know these ladies and I really do believe their hearts will soon be turned and their harmful-to-the-body-words will cease.
I can’t let these ladies, church politics or anything stop me from choosing to serve within the Lord’s church. I love Him enough to love His bride.
From Derek Webb:
Lyrics to Love His Church
i have come with one purpose
to capture for myself a bride
by my life she is lovely
by my death she’s justified
i have always been her husband
though many lovers she has known
so with water i will wash her
and by my word alone
so when you hear the sound of the water
you will know you’re not alone
(chorus)
cause i haven’t come for only you
but for my people to pursue
you cannot care for me with no regard for her
if you love me you will love the church
i have long pursued her
as a harlot and a whore
but she will feast upon me
she will drink and thirst no more
so when you taste my flesh and my blood
you will know you’re not alone
(chorus)
there is none that can replace her
though there are many who will try
and though some may be her bridesmaids
they can never be my bride
(chorus)
