IV. Christ’s ultimate aim.—1. To present His Church to Himself. A nuptial figure. 2. Free from all imperfections. 3. Adorned with all excellencies. (1) Our obligations to Christ. (2) The real value of holiness. (3) The high destiny of believers.—G. Brooks.
The Future Glory of the Church.
I. The future state of the Church.—In describing the future condition of the Church, the apostle has evidently in his mind two previous states: her original state when lying dead in trespasses and sins, and her subsequent earthly state when separated from the mass of the ungodly and partially redeemed. We have the people of Christ before us in three distinct points of view:—
1. As wholly defiled.—Speaking of “sanctifying and cleansing” the Church intimates her complete defilement.
2. As in some measure cleansed.—Though sanctified and cleansed, we read of spots still left on the Church.
3. As altogether pure.—Faultless in God’s presence and estimation.
II. The causes to which this state is to be ascribed.—1. The love of Christ. 2. Love revealed in sacrifice as another step towards final purity. 3. The work of the Holy Spirit (ver. 26). 4. The Word of God (ver. 26). A right understanding of its testimony and a heartfelt belief in its truth.
III. The great end for which all these means of holiness are brought into operation.—“That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church” (ver. 27). The likeness of God will be put on her, the image of God shine in her; that attribute of Divinity—holiness—which is the perfection of Divinity will be her crown.—C. Bradley.
The Divine Ideal of the Church.
I. We have an array of stupendous facts concerning the Church.—1. The Divine prevision. Before the eternal Son of God could give Himself for the Church, He must have had it in His mind. 2. The Redeemer’s actual love for the Church. 3. The Redeemer’s amazing self-sacrifice on behalf of the Church. 4. That the Redeemer has a very definite purpose concerning His Church.