A Bride Prepared for Her Groom: Living Inside-Out

by Teresa^(1,655) Bronze Star

Physical appearance is the first thing that grabs our attention. His eyes sparkle when the sun hits them just right and those muscles – wow! She has a smile that lights up the world, she’s delicate. Does he notice me? Does she see me smiling her way? We toss in a breath mint, freshen our make up; tuck in our shirt – all for finding love and hopefully marriage.

In a sense, we do the same thing to attract friends. We want to look our best, make an impression. We tell a joke or two, and pretend to be “in the know”. We want to be accepted – as long as it’s with the right crowd. It is in our nature to be concerned with appearance. This is not a bad thing in its self, but it can become a hindrance to our growth as a person if we make our outward appearance the focal point of our lives. There is the opposite extreme, which has its consequences as well.

How would all of this look if we applied it to our spiritual life? How would we look if our outward appearance were directly related to our inward appearance – turned inside-out.

We as Christians are the bride of Christ. Are we ready for our groom? If Jesus were to walk through the doors right now, would we be happy with the way we look; would He?

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” 1 Peter 3:3

“…That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls”. 1 Peter 7-9

We see that the most precious thing to God is our genuine faith and our gentle and quiet spirit. Not in what we look like, do, or don’t do on the outside.

In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul tells us that the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep My commandments".

The most important thing to a man on his wedding day is watching his bride to be walk down the isle. He is so proud and cannot wait to boast about how beautiful his bride looked that day, inside and out. He is unashamed, for she has made herself ready for the special day. Do we live in such a way that God would be proud and unashamed? Or will he sorrow in our tattered and dirty appearance?

What makes us dirty? How about gossip? How about holding grudges or casting judgment on others for how they are living? How are you living – how am I living? Are we calling ourselves Christians yet living in sin? I am not only talking about living with a person out of wedlock. I am talking about living in any kind of sin. Such as pride, drunkenness, bitterness, envy and the like. Anything that is contrary to how God says we are to be living. Maybe we feel justified in our actions. We have been hurt by others or maybe we feel let down by God. Something tragic has happened in our lives or to a loved one so we run from God and turn to the ways of the world for comfort. No matter what our reasons, we cannot continually live in sin justifying our selves by saying, “God knows my heart, and he will forgive me.” Paul speaks against this in the book of Romans. Particularly in chapters 7-8. If this is you and I today, we need to take a good look in the spiritual mirror. Knowing that God looks at our heart for the measure of beauty, would you be ashamed to walk toward your groom?

The good news is there is a solution. The question is – are we willing.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28 is often used when trying to reach non-believers and rightly so. Yet in context of Jesus’ message to the religious people of his time, I believe this message is meant for Christians who have strayed as well. It takes a lot of effort to tune the voice of the Holy Spirit out when we are living in willful disobedience. It is hard work hiding behind good works and outward appearances rather than being genuine.

I don’t know what is going on in your heart today but I encourage you to come clean before the Lord. Allow Him to wash you from the inside out. As for me, I come before the Lord in repentance for settling for well-enough. It’s easy to excuse my lack of serving and doing what He has called me to do. “I am in a new place,” I'm still trying to meet other Christians.” “God knows my heart.” Yes, God knows my heart and that is exactly why I need to be cleansed of complacency.

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7

I leave you with one of my favorite songs, I pray its words will touch your heart and may God break all degrees of bondage sin has on every believing heart.

Rags to Robes

Rags to Robes – chains to wings, praise the Lord My freed soul sings.

The rags represent the best the world could ever offer me; a symbol of depravity, the emblem of true poverty.

The Robes are the clothes for the members of God’s family; a special gown for those who choose to drink the blood from Calvary

In His mercy, Jesus took my rags and gave me a robe, a trade that saved my life, now all to Him I owe.

If it’s right to praise the Lord, then it’s wrong to be hushed, So sing with us a freedom song if God is your trust.

I’ve been searching for the key to set me free, chains weighing on me pray for grace to pardon me.

Hopeless and I’m helpless til I felt your holy power, You came to bring me strength like a fire in my darkest hour.

Vision to my eyes healing from my sickness

Heavy laden heart and soul covered by forgiveness delivered me from the bondage again, I will thank him and I’ll praise him, He is my very best friend.

Words and Music by Caleb & Sol

If your heart is right and you are in a good place with the Lord, I praise God for you and ask that you pray for those who are struggling.

May our love for the Lord compel us to live in obedience. Go in peace and be a bride ready for her groom.

Article submitted Sunday, August 08, 2010 & read 235 times.

Leave your comments through World Wide Bible Studies:

» left by Ken McCreless from Event Horizon (1 year 182 days ago.)

Wonderful, Sis! God's timing is amazing.
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» left by Anonymous (1 year 182 days ago.)

HI Bro-Bro,

Praise God for his timing! This is def a reminder to myself :-)

Lord bless you! T.

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» left by Cheery Blossom⁽²⁵⁾ (1 year 182 days ago.)

Teresa, you have really done a superb job of putting all of this together in such an interesting and challenging way. What wonderful insight to pass on to others. I absolutely loved this article.
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» left by Anonymous (1 year 182 days ago.)

Hi there! How are you doing?

Thank you for the kind words, this is one of those - not so fun to write - kind of messages and yet God speaks to us in His word regarding "everyday" sin and slothfulness. It is a dangerous place to be and we all need the reminder.

I spoke at a women's retreat on this very subject more indepthly, but after yesterday's message at church it all came flooding back and this lesson was the outcome.

Blessings to you Verna :-)

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» left by Chiradeep (1 year 182 days ago.)

You're so right sister!

Its a great job done by Sister Teresa.

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» left by Chiradeep (1 year 182 days ago.)

'Rags to Robes' was amazing.

Its a wonderful reminder sister. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

And in our case the groom will do the spiritual decoration in the bride. When we submit ourselves fully and He indwells in us the process of decoration (Sanctification etc.)will start.

May God bless you abundantly!
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» left by Anonymous (1 year 181 days ago.)

Hello Chiradeep,

I love your description of the sanctification process - a great picture of being decorated, by my groom - my savior. It makes the sanctification process sound less painful :-)

Thank you for adding this insight! The song was written by twin brothers who are in music ministry and have an awesome CD. They truly love the Lord and desire to share the Gospel. You can listen to this song if you go to their website. calebandsoldotcom.

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ (1 year 181 days ago.)

Loved the analogies and the questions. You hit areas that need introspection and scriptures bringing hope, grace and the Groom to light! Missing you and looking forward to more of your most insightful pieces!
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» left by Anonymous (1 year 181 days ago.)

Hi Marijo,

This was a challenge for me/has been a challenge for me in recent weeks and it hit hard over the weekend. Especially after Sunday's message. We are in Romans chapter 7 heading into 8. I need to get back to teaching and sharing exactly the way the Lord has called me to regardless of my circumstances. Art chose a different church to go to, we are back at Calvary Chapel - it is making a huge difference in me (I am sure him too, but I can't speak for my hubby.)

I don't want to see my Lord face to face and be ashamed of all that I should have done and didn't. I don't want to be "just saved" I want all of HIM. :-)

Love you girlie!

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» left by Lydia Najera from Spokane, Wa (1 year 179 days ago.)

Teresa you are such an amazing women and have just the right timing on your article's. They always touch me where I nedd to be.
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» left by Teresa^(1,655) (1 year 147 days ago.)

Hi Lydia,

Thank you for your encouraging words. Lord bless you as you continue to seek Him. You are truly a new creation in Christ! What a treasure you are! Love you. Teresa

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» left by Emily Root (1 year 147 days ago.)

This is awesome! Thank you so much for this!
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» left by Teresa^(1,655) (1 year 147 days ago.)

Hi Emily,

You are welcome! It is good to keep our hearts in check. Those deep things of the heart that only God can see. It can get pretty grimey on the inside at times.

Love and hugs, T

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