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Scripture for the day: Ephesians 5:25-27 Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Thought for the day: Have you ever bought something only to later question the value of it? Better yet, have you ever bought something knowing full well you were paying more than it was worth, but getting it just because it appealed to you and you wanted to own it? Perhaps you saw something in it that no one else could see. I have a painting like that. It hangs in my dining room, and I get the impression that most people who see it are somewhat less than impressed. When I bought it at an auction, I paid what I considered to be an exorbitant price for it. You see, I’d never been to an auction. I didn’t know the tricks of that trade (I still don’t). There were several people bidding on this piece and, at the last moment, I raised my hand to bid, fully expecting someone to raise the ante. Dead silence. Suddenly, the auctioneer said, “Sold!” and his assistant brought me my newest possession. My wife said, “Did you buy that?” I replied, “Apparently I did.” All that to say this: I like it and, at this point at least, wouldn't want to part with it. There's just something about it that appeals to me and whether anyone else can see it or not, I can.
The Bible tells us "You are not your own; you have been bought with a price" (1 Cor. 6:20). The price Jesus paid would seem to be exorbitant, way above the value of anything we might produce. But He didn't pay the price of His shed blood, of His life spilled out on the cross, because of our value but because of our need and His love. There was something in His creation, even if no one else could see it, that appealed to Him; the image of God, faintly remaining amidst the centuries of built-up corruption. And so, He gladly paid the price for each of us, indeed for the whole world.
I can't speak for the rest of you in this, though I know some of you and could make a pretty shrewd guess, but when God got me, He got damaged goods. The price He paid, if it were any of us being asked to pay it, would seem to be much too high. But He died for the world that He might offer it pardon. Something we often forget is that fact that He also died for the church, that as yet unformed "Body of Christ" that He might sanctify it - wash away every spot and smooth out every wrinkle. His purpose in dying was to produce a people wholly set apart to Him, dedicated only to Him and to His purpose.
Can you imagine a bride showing up at her wedding with ugly stains and spots all over her gown or with so many wrinkles she looked like she'd slept in the dress the night before? It just wouldn't happen and the reason is; the bride would want to look her best and be just right for the one to whom she had decided to dedicate her life. Is the Bride of the Lamb to be any different? Of course not; the only difference is she cannot iron out her own wrinkles or clean out her own spots. She must rely on the Bridegroom to do it for her.
The bride is to be pure - pure in virtue, pure in power, and pure in unity. She is to be invulnerable to attack and mighty in conquest but, in addition, she is to be unified in purpose to serve her Lord. And the only One who can bring that about is the Bridegroom, the Lamb of God. He died for it; don't you think we ought to at least strive for it?
Now go take on your world. - Bill