We must love the church

Today I celebrate four years of marriage.

It’s been an amazing four years, filled with lots of laughter and love. I am very blessed.

I’ve always loved how God compares His relationship to us as a marriage. We are the bride of Christ. I know a lot of men shift uncomfortably with all that romantic imagery, but as an emotional woman, it connects with me.

During our wedding ceremony, some talented musician friends performed a special song: “The Church” by Derek Webb. The church is the bride of Christ, and if we love Christ, we must in turn love His bride. It’s a hard message for me to hear some days. I love Jesus, but often want nothing to do with the church. It’s full of ugly people who are underhanded, selfish, and hurtful.

Unfortunately, they come with the package. Most days I am no better than they are. Part of us loving on Jesus involves loving on His people.

If we love Him, me MUST love the church.

 

*There is an offensive word in this song. In context of the song, it makes perfect sense. Just be warned in case you’re sitting at your desk at work!*

The Church

I have come with one purpose
to capture for myself a bride
by my life she is lovely
by my death she’s justified

I have always been her husband
though many lovers she has known
so with water i will wash her
and by my word alone

So when you hear the sound of the water
you will know you’re not alone

Chorus:
‘Cause i haven’t come for only you
but for my people to pursue
you cannot care for me with no regard for her
if you love me you will love the church

I have long pursued her
as a harlot and a whore
but she will feast upon me
she will drink and thirst no more

So when you taste my flesh and my blood
you will know you’re not alone

(Chorus)

There is none that can replace her
though there are many who will try
and though some may be her bridesmaids

they can never be my bride

(Chorus)

13 Replies to “We must love the church”

  1. Congratulations! How exciting! I won’t tell you how many anniversaries my wife and I have celebrated. 😉

    C.S Lewis said something like God is so absolutely male that everything else is, in a sense, “feminine” before Him. Something like that. He also said (I’m paraphrasing) that none of what we see is eternal–only people are. And the people we pass, snub, see everyday are becoming either eternal splendors, or everlasting horrors. The question being; how are we helping them along the way?

    Yes, we must love the church–wart and all.

Comments are closed.