The special topic this issue deals with the church. Certainly one
of the most thought-provoking passages in the New Testament dealing with Christ and His church is found in Ephesians 5:22-33 where the relationship between a husband and wife are compared with the relationship between Jesus and His church.
A part of that context reads as follows:
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church
and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having
cleansed her with the washing of water with the word, that He might
present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or
wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Crucial aspects of God's plan of salvation are revealed in this
passage:
Christ loved the church; (His people)
Christ gave Himself up for the church
Christ did this so that He might sanctify His people
Christ cleansed His people
This cleansing took place with the washing
of water and the word
A goal of this cleansing was the removal of spots and wrinkles
Another goal was that His people might be holy and blameless
If you have any questions about any aspect of the above text;
about Christ's love for you; about His sacrifice; about the cleansing
process; about the washing of water with the word; about the removal of the spots, then please feel free to contact the editors of
Expository Files at the following addresses. Thanks.
