October 23, 2011 … Joined to Christ

Passage of the Day: Romans 7: 4 … 4 So, my brothers, you also died to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.

My Journal for Today: Extending the discussion of our union with Christ, Paul uses the marriage metaphor (see yesterday’s devotional and Romans 7: 1 – 4), representing our union with Christ. This is a common New Testament metaphor for our relationship with Jesus, the Bridegroom, Who died so that He could be reunited with His Bride (the Church) for eternity at the wedding feast of The Lamb. As you’ve no doubt read before, Paul also uses this metaphor powerfully in Ephesians 5: 22 – 33, as he discusses the Christian covenant marriage and instructs married Christians on how to pursue marriage as Christ pursued His relationship with His Bride. [See the Eph. 5 passage linked here.]

Our union, as converted, born-again Christians, is a forever union of the Bridegroom, Christ, with His Bride, the Church; and Paul is certainly right when he calls it (in Eph. 5: 32), “… a profound mystery.” But it is only through this covenant union with Christ that we, as Christians in His Body, the Church, can become fruitful for God (as seen in today’s verse as well as Jesus’ discussion in John 15: 1-16 - also linked here).

And Dr. MacArthur, in today’s Strength for Today devotional, helps me and his readers understand what these spiritual fruit might be, … defined as ”any righteous act that glorifies God.” This can consist of Paul’s insightful list of Spirit-born attitudes/attributes in Galatians 5: 22 – 23. But, it can also include such things as praise to God (see Hebrews 13: 15), being God’s agent as He ushers souls into His kingdom (see Romans 1: 13), giving to those in need out of love for God (see Romans 15: 26 – 28), and/or righteous living (see Philippians 1: 11).

God always gets the glory when we live as His Bride. So, as we live as Christians, may we be the Bride of Christ, preparing ourselves for the wedding feast of our Bridegroom, the Lamb of God. (see John 14: 1 – 4 and Revelations 19: 7 – 9 – do PLEASE not pass over these verses without meditating on their meaning for your life!, especially that passage in Rev. 19 – to which I’ll link you here). This study has certainly touched me with conviction. Perhaps it will any reader here as well.

My Prayer Today: To God be the glory as Your Bride prepares her linens. Amen