What kind of a bride are you to Christ?

We assume that when a person gets married and declares their vows, that a whole bunch of things will be a part of the marriage deal - love, respect, intimacy, children etc. In fact these things are a part of the contract. But - and this is a big "but"... are we considered to be divorced from our spouse if they betray this contract? Are we not married to our husband even if he sleeps with another woman from the day we get married till the day we die? Do we fall out of wedlock when we fornicate, abuse and forget our vows?

No, it is a legal matter. You have to denounce your covenant in court and consciously and purposefully request to be legally separated i.e. divorced.

So a married woman may look like a single woman in her actions, but that does not make her single.

Is it possible for us to be without sin for even one day of our lives?

It is impossible, even if we manage to stay away from the "top 10 worst of the worst kinds of sins" like: murder and theft. Jesus did something very interesting... First: He calls the Law of the Old testament a curse because it is impossible for human beings to uphold it in its entirety and breaking even one ordinance even something "small" like not wearing a pointy hat while preaching, means that you have overstepped the whole of the Law. Now, in saying that it would be logical for us in our human reasoning to assume that Jesus would say something like: "Hey man, just do what you want because the law is impossible for all except Me, therefore its a curse! Go be merry and do as you please, My grace will cover you!" BUT, He doesn't... This is what He says:

Matthew 5:27-28

27 You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.

28 But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 John 3:15

Anyone who hates (abominates, detests) his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him.

How bizarre... He tightens the "rope". The game gets harder. The rules are stricter...

The difference is that this time the "rope" is not there to hang us as it was in the Old Covenant (Old Testament) but rather it is: A "rope" to save us from our self - A "rope" to rein us not just in, but into Him - A method of drawing us near and binding us into His likeness.

When the Word says that fornicators, adulterers and homosexuals will not go to heaven, Jesus is naming people by their sin, for it is their identity, but once you accept Him as your Lord and Savoir, you are called Righteous according to His reputation and His identity. You are no longer called by your sin, but rather you are called by His innocence and all (yes, all!) sin is covered by His grace. We go to Heaven because of Him and not because of our lack of sin.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;

⁹ Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

¹⁰ For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Again, what about the "rope" the rope that once was our punishment onto eternal death (God's Law that convicts our sin and sends us to Hell)? God says use it! Rein yourself into Christ, for it is warm and safe and all sufficient in Him. Don't let your covenant marriage to God be one of deceit, denial, terror, fear and eventually ending where you denounce the arrangement because the relationship became nothing more than a reminder to the death you chose daily in comparison to the Life He offered you so freely!

You are the bride of Christ! Obey Him! Love Him! By accepting Him as Lord and Savior you just might gain legal entrance to Heaven (even if it is by the skin of your teeth), but don't do it for entry into heaven!!! Do it because you are blessed to be pursued by a groom that will never betray you, never cheat on you and never ever disappoint you!

Psalm 45 (The Message)

A Wedding Song of the Sons of Korah

45 My heart bursts its banks,
    spilling beauty and goodness.
I pour it out in a poem to the king,
    shaping the river into words:

^2-4 “You’re the handsomest of men;
    every word from your lips is sheer grace,
    and God has blessed you, blessed you so much.
Strap your sword to your side, warrior!
    Accept praise! Accept due honor!
    Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly!
Ride on the side of truth!
    Ride for the righteous meek!

^4-5 “Your instructions are glow-in-the-dark;
    you shoot sharp arrows
Into enemy hearts; the king’s
    foes lie down in the dust, beaten.

^6-7 “Your throne is God’s throne,
    ever and always;
The scepter of your royal rule
    measures right living.
You love the right
    and hate the wrong.
And that is why God, your very own God,
    poured fragrant oil on your head,
Marking you out as king
    from among your dear companions.

^8-9 “Your ozone-drenched garments
    are fragrant with mountain breeze.
Chamber music—from the throne room—
    makes you want to dance.
Kings’ daughters are maids in your court,
    the Bride glittering with golden jewelry.

^10-12 “Now listen, daughter, don’t miss a word:
    forget your country, put your home behind you.
Be here—the king is wild for you.
    Since he’s your lord, adore him.
Wedding gifts pour in from Tyre;
    rich guests shower you with presents.”

^13-15 (Her wedding dress is dazzling,
    lined with gold by the weavers;
All her dresses and robes
    are woven with gold.
She is led to the king,
    followed by her virgin companions.
A procession of joy and laughter!
    a grand entrance to the king’s palace!)

^16-17 “Set your mind now on sons—
    don’t dote on father and grandfather.
You’ll set your sons up as princes
    all over the earth.
I’ll make you famous for generations;
    you’ll be the talk of the town
    for a long, long time.”