Searching For Wedding Gifts

Many times throughout the Scriptures, the Church is referred to as “the Bride” of Christ, and Jesus as “the Bridegroom”. The Bible teaches us that one day, God the Father will present the Church to Christ as His Bride, clothed in “fine linen, bright and clean” (Rev. 19:8) and the redeemed will be joined together with Christ, our Bridegroom, forever. If you follow this wedding illustration throughout the Scriptures you will discover the amazing mystery of the relationship of the Holy Trinity. John MacArthur puts is this way:

“We are a people called out for His name, redeemed, conformed to His Son’s image, made to be an immense, incomprehensible, all-surpassing expression of love between the Persons of the Trinity. The church is the gift that is exchanged. This is God’s eternal plan for the church. We ought to be profoundly grateful, and eager, and thrilled to be a part of it.” (Why I Love the Church, part 3)

If you have been truly converted, your very inner nature changed by God Himself (1 Cor. 5:17), then He has made you a glorious part of an eternal wedding gift He will give to His Son on that great Day when we are gathered to Him in Heaven! MacArthur is right in saying “We ought to be profoundly grateful, and eager, and thrilled to be a part of it.” But how do we display our eagerness? How do we prove we are grateful? There are many things we can do to show God we are grateful, but I believe the one work that pleases Him more than any is sharing the Gospel. Jesus Christ came to earth for one main reason: to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). His entire mission to fulfill the Law by living the perfect life God demanded of us, then sacrificing His perfect life on the Cross to be our substitute, paying the FULL price for ALL the sins of His people, can be summed up in that statement. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The Apostles, along with all Christians, are commissioned to preach the Gospel to every creature and make disciples of every nation. This great work God has privileged us to participate in gives “feet” to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

Dear sinner saved by grace, press your mind down on the great promises of Romans chapter 10...

“THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART.”

“WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?”

“How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?”

“And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent?”

“HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

God is preparing a wedding feast. The guest list consists of those He has chosen to give to His Son as a wedding gift (John 6:37-40). As we share the Gospel, we are searching with God the Father and God the Spirit for wedding gifts for God the Son! Think of the gift Christ has given you in the Cross. What would your condition be right now, as well as eternity without it? May those thoughts drive you to spend your life diligently searching for wedding gifts that your Savior will be given that great Day!

(Written by Dennis R. Swanson, 10-25-2010)