We Must Go To Jesus Christ

Grace … reign[s] through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:21

The church is packed. The organist plays reverently. The smiling groom awaits his bride.

And here she comes down the aisle—dress tattered and torn, face streaked with grime—anything but the picture of beauty.

Yet the groom lovingly cleans her up and then receives her. That’s the picture of Christ—who is both groom and groomer—and his church.

The same gift of grace that saves is a gift of righteousness that purifies, as Anne Ross Cousin explains.

WALK WITH ANNE ROSS COUSIN
Oh! I am my Beloved’s,

And my Beloved is mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner

Into His “House of wine.”
I stand upon His merit,

I know no other stand
Not e’en where glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.

The Bride eyes not her garment,

But her dear Bridegroom’s face;

I will not gaze at glory,

But on my King of Grace—

Not at the crown He giveth,

But on His pierced hand:

The Lamb is all the glory

Of Immanuel’s land.

WALK CLOSER TO GOD
The church is the bride of Christ (see Ephesians 5:25-32). And in Christ the bride becomes beautiful with a purity acceptable to God. The dirt of sin and the curse of death cannot be removed in any other way.

Christ is preparing for himself a bride that is cleansed, spotless, holy and without blemish.

Grace leading to righteousness. Unmerited favor leading to upright behavior. They go hand in hand for the one eagerly preparing to meet the Lord.