The State and Condition of Christ’s People

The State and Condition of Christ’s People

…that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.…

Ephesians 5:26-27

Christ always works to an end. There are no coincidences with Him. The Spirit of Christ toward His people, which we considered two days ago, has translated into His Sacrifice for His people. That Sacrifice which we contemplated yesterday, is to a purpose. We find the purpose in our text for today, ‘…that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish….’  Three things present themselves here. Christ would have His people sanctified. By ‘sanctified,’ here, we mean ‘set apart,’ from all others upon the face of the earth throughout human history. Beyond that, Christ would have His people purified, hence He has and will, ‘cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.’ The third part of His purpose is that His people are glorified, which we find in verse 27, ‘…that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.’  Here is a world of intention on his part, and a world of experience for us. This affects our state in Grace and our condition by Grace. Here is Christ the Most Gracious of Husbands behaving most Graciously. This brings us to marvel at the larger plan of God, and the manner in which Christ executes it. It is greatly encouraging and uplifting for us to know. The Christ Who has the spirit of love toward us, and Who has sacrificed Himself for us, will infallibly finish all which He has begun.

Our most Gracious and Wise Savior,
we praise You for every glorious intention which You have for us.
We thank You,
that You will finish everything which You have begun.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush Burning