Seattle, May 20, 2005.
69. A BRIDE BEAUTIFIED BY THE GLORY OF THE LORD. The people of the unveiled face, opened faced, transparent before the Lord. Having no ulterior motives. Living earnestly and honestly before the Lord. Their vision filled with the glory of the Lord as they look into the mirror of the Lord, the word of the Lord. It soon becomes apparent that they have been basking in that glory for it is infectious and catching. A glory that brings the presence of the Almighty in a very real manner. 2 Cor. 3:18
CHANGED. Each step of progression and spiritual growth will bring about a change in our lives. A person cannot be born again [John 3:16] without there being a very clear alteration of their life style. Water baptism, a necessity for the furtherance of our spiritual life is to cause us to touch the death burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. [Rom. 6:4] There is then another step after following Christ in the waters of baptism. The baptism of the Holy Spirit will most certainly open to us the vast vistas of His glory and power. [Acts 2:1-4.] As the old adage says, you cant play with fire and not get burned.] So with the fire of the Holy Spirit there is a very definite purging of the old carnal nature of man. We are not finished yet, for there is that constant, daily cleansing of the Word. [Eph. 5:26] Lets not be forgetful that we are called to be doers of the Word and not hearers only, turning from the mirror and straightway forgetting how the glory of the Lord had revealed our true nature and character. [James 1:23] Every step in the Christian life is progressing toward that prize and spiritual goal of being like Jesus.
IN HIS IMAGE. There are some things for which Jesus prayed in what is truly the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ. His prayer was for His very own. He sought their deliverance from worldliness, from the iniquities of this life. It is His desire that His own be as righteous and pure as He is. John 17:16 He knew that the truth of the Word would sanctify and cleanse us. The glory of the Father that had been entrusted into the hands of the Lord Jesus He had passed on to them. The fullness of that prayer was answered on the day of Pentecost. We need not stand afar off and hope for that glory. It has already been delivered to the church and we should partake of it fully. His prayer included a unity of the believers that is akin to that of the Godhead. That is absolute, perfect unity. John 17:22 Love is vital in any marriage. The Bride of Christ will love Him with a Godlike love. True love as can only be found in the Lord. The Spirit of the revelation of the life and nature of Christ is constantly being shown to His own and they respond to it in obedience. They covet the abiding presence of the Lord Jesus and will seek to maintain that blessed union. John 17:26 More than any other generation we are living in the days of the Marriage of Christ and His Church. These are days of preparation for the wedding day is quickly approaching. (END).