This episode of Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith delved into the concept of the Christian church as the Bride of Christ. He compared missionary organizations and evangelistic organizations to bridesmaids whose task is to support the church. Using this analogy, he urged believers not to make more of these support organizations than they make of the church itself, which is the bride.
Pastor Smith also analyzed Ephesians chapter 5, emphasizing the love and care that Christ has for his bride, the church. He pointed out that one day, the church will be made perfect in glory and without blemish, much like a bride presented to her groom. He used the Apostle John’s writing at the end of the Bible as a reminder that Christ has chosen the church as his bride.
Continuing the discussion, the pastor highlighted the importance of loving the church as part of loving Christ, asserting that hurting the church inadvertently hurts Christ – a concept derived from the biblical story of Saul’s persecution of the church.
Lastly, he suggested five ways for believers to express their love for the church, using Dr. Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages as a framework; words of affirmation, quality time, thoughtful gifts, acts of service, and physical presence.
In summary, this episode reminded believers to appreciate the significance of the church, to strive to serve and love it as Christ does, and to evaluate their contributions to it.
