The Bible portrays the relationship between God and His people as a marriage (cf. Hosea, Revelation, etc.). As Christians, we are united with Christ. As His church, we are His bride. This is the most important marriage a Christian will be a part of.
If a married person asked you for advice because they felt distant from their spouse, what would you say to them?
“My beloved is mine, and I am his.” (Song of Songs 2:16)
“In this Song of Songs we see the love of Christ and his church running towards each other in a full torrent. The text contains three general parts:
1. A symbol of affection: ‘My beloved’.
2. A term of appropriation: ‘is mine’.
3. A holy resignation: ‘I am his’.
“There is a conjugal union between Christ and believers… [But] before this union with Christ there must be a separation. The heart must be separated from all other lovers, as in marriage there is a leaving of father and mother: ‘Forget your own people, and your father’s house’ (Ps 45.10). So there must be a leaving of our former sins, a breaking off the old league with hell before we can be united to Christ. ‘Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?’ (Hos 14.8), or as it is in the Hebrew, ‘with sorrows.’ Those sins which were looked on before as lovers, are now sorrows.” [T. Watson, “Mystic Union between Christ and the Saints”]
Let’s pray: Lord, may we leave our old lovers in order to cleave to You…
Let’s sing to Him with the song, “Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)” (click here) by Hillsong United.
— JP
