Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

As believers we have been apportioned to the great mystery, the prospect of sharing eternity and the Kingdom with our bridegroom, who also is our Savior and Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. The means by which we come to acknowledge our connection to him is not apart from the Church, but rather, as a part of her, as a member of the Church of God in Jesus. Unfortunately, some people never come to church except for their baptism, their marriage, and their funeral, or, as some might say, when they’re hatched, matched, and dispatched ! In my mind, no informed and biblical Christian can claim intimacy with God and deny and ignore the Church; such a one is confused at best, and perhaps not a Christian, at worst. To be a Christian is to be a member of the bride of Christ, and be a part of the divine romance. In a real sense, the “two becoming one” will occur at the consummation of all things at the Second Coming, but the Church knows this unity and intimacy now, today. Truly, the Church is utterly connected and integrated into and with the person of Jesus of Nazareth: we enjoy total identification and association with Christ. We are “made one in Christ” (1 Cor. 6.15-17), were baptized into him (1 Cor. 12.13), and died with him in his death on the cross (Rom. 6.3-4). Furthermore, we were buried with him by baptism into death (Rom. 6.3-4), and were raised with him in the resurrection (Eph. 2.4-7). We ascended with him (Eph. 2.6), we are seated with him in heavenly places (Eph. 2.6), and we suffer with him in this life as we serve him (Rom. 8.17-18). Soon, we will be glorified with him (Rom. 8.17), will be resurrected in him (1 Cor. 15.48-49), and will be made like him when we see him at his appearing (1 John 3.2). Then, we will inherit all things with him as joint-heirs with him (Rom. 8.17), and will reign forever with him as his co-regents in the new order (Rev. 3.21). What an extraordinary mystery, indeed, for the “two to become one flesh.” Take your place as a believer in Christ in the company of honored human beings who make up the one, holy, apostolic, Church, the bride of Christ, that sacred company that will rule with Christ in the Kingdom. What a blessing to be a part of the divine romance. The banquet is almost ready. Rev. 19.6-8 - Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; [8] it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

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Have you made yourself ready? Will you be there?