When Gary and I were married, I wanted to have a "vintage" looking wedding dress - sort of princess style - with a high neck, lace, etc. And this is what I was able to find, with the Lord's direction. Later on, I had the dress cut off to tea length and this is when the Lord gave me the picture to use it for this retreat.
I love pictures - give me one and things may sink in a little quicker! So what was it?
At the end of my sharing time, I went and changed into my wedding dress, with lace arranged in my hair - then marched to the wedding song down the aisle. It was quite a surprise because no one was expecting this. The funny part of my apparel was that I...what?...had combat boots for my shoes.
Now at a wedding, that would be funny - most of the time, brides wear lovely shoes to match their dress! Yet I had a point!
The first smashing point though, was to drive home the reality of WHO we are now in Christ Jesus - not later, but now! And what He has done for us and to us through HIM, by the regenerated work of God's Spirit, in our spirits.
Romans 7:4 says this:
"Therefore, my brethern, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another - to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God."
Also in Ephesians 5, it says this:
"For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church, and He is the Savior of the body. Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for her - that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of the water of the Word - that He might present her to Himself a glorious church...For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the LORD DOES THE CHURCH! For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones!" And this last part..."This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church."
Other Scriptures point to the fact we have been joined to the Lord in One Spirit, made new creatures in Him - glorified in Him, but only through and because of His work of salvation. The gift of salvation has been brought to us because of God's grace.
Actually, this is a "mushy" story with God. Don't we all love those "chic flicks," like "Ever After" where the wicked step mother and her oppressive ways are ended, when the beaten down step daughter marries the prince (soon to be king) of the kingdom?
It has also been written in the Scriptures that the world may not recognize believers as having been born of God - some of this is due to blindness on their part - and some of it has to do with the walk of a believer. And part of the problem for the walk of the believer can be because of lack of understanding of what God has done for us and to us in His Son.
God is the one who beautified us with the garments of salvation when we believed in the Gospel. God did this. And whether we realize it or not, inwardly we are beautiful members of His body, His church - His bride.
So when I go to the grocery store, the reflection of my inner man is as a member of the bride of Christ - dressed and lavished in royal apparel - an ambassador of Christ. And I walk with honor of the King, our Beloved, who has also lavished us with His life, wisdom, forgiveness, Holy Spirit, acceptance, love, completeness, and future glory in His kingdom. WOW!
But what about those combat boots? Well, it makes sense I need them for walking on this earth - in the trenches of trials, in Satan's territory of fiery darts and interference to the knowledge of Christ. While a bride, still a soldier - for Paul wrote these words: "endure hardships, as a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ."
"Father, we pray you will open our eyes to the depths of what You have accomplished in Christ Jesus and who we are in Him - of how, fruit is born in our lives for your glory. Teach us the depths, Lord of being one with Christ and intimately acquainted with Him, our Head. In Jesus precious name, Amen."
Dressed in Him,
Sue Gaither
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