The Whole ChurchBeispiel

OUR FUTURE

You’ve probably heard the church called Jesus’ bride—He’s the husband, and we’re the wife. It’s a beautiful metaphor but can be confusing for many of us. Human marriage gives us language to describe this relationship with God, but it’s not perfect—even the best earthly marriages fall short. And if you’re someone who was or is in a difficult marriage, the idea of being anyone else’s bride might seem crazy to you.

The Bible calls Jesus’ followers many things in addition to His bride: His body, members of God’s family, people of God’s possession, and temples of the Holy Spirit. These images help us see the church as more than just an organization. You might even say that in the ways we interact and serve, the church is a living organism.

Maybe that’s what Paul meant when he described the church as a “body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part” (Eph. 4:16). We’re all connected and rooted in love, sacrifice, and promises of Christ. 

Think about what it means to be His body and His bride—and what these images convey with regard to the future of Christ’s church. What does our relationship with Him look like as we live in anticipation of His return?

As we sanctify ourselves, preparing to be a bride worthy of all He’s given and all He’s promised, we’re also called to take action—by reflecting the relationship between Jesus and the whole church in our own communities and congregations. Whether we do so by loving our neighbors, studying God’s Word with fellow believers, opening our homes to those in need, or giving of our resources, through it all, we must eagerly pray for life on earth to be as it is in heaven, just as Jesus taught us to do. We’re not home yet, but we do know where we’re headed because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. And while we are in our earthly homes, we have the opportunity to invite the people around us to look toward the glorious place He’s prepared for His children.

Digging Deeper

• Take time to think about what it means to be a citizen of heaven while being a resident of earth. List three or four things that make up your heavenly citizenship. For example, you might write that your home is in heaven, God’s made a place for you, and Jesus considers you a beloved friend.
• What are some practical ways that a Christian’s daily behaviors or character can reflect our heavenly citizenship and culture?
• Do you think of heavenly citizenship as something promised in the future? Or do you think of it as a reality today?

Prayer

Father, thank You for the love and sacrifice You’ve poured out for Your church. Teach me how to focus on Your glory in the present moment and stay faithful to You so that I might play my part and help the whole church find renewal in You. Fill us with the joy of the Holy Spirit as we anticipate an eternal and perfect union with Christ. Help us grow in our understanding of Jesus as the Bridegroom so that we might be filled with all the fullness of God. And grant us a measure of Your hope and peace, no matter how uncertain the future may seem. May You bless those who gather together in Your name—both in the local church and around the world. Amen.