The Chaste Bride Of Christ
Christians, who make up the Lord’s one true church, are the bride of Christ. Paul told the church at Corinth, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2). When we are baptized for the remission of our sins so we can be saved it is then that "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). It is then that we were cleansed from all our past sins and purified. "Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27). We must keep our lives pure.
Because of our hope of heaven, "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3). We must put away all sinful practices out of our lives. "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting which are not fitting, but rather giving thanks" (Ephesians 5:3-4). But we must "keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). We are to "Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). We are to "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29). We are not to let any sin corrupt our lives.
To be pleasing to our Lord we are not to, "be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2). So we can go to heaven, "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1).
As the bride of Christ we must follow only His doctrine, which is His will to us. We are to "not be carried about with various and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9) of men, "because there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:7). Those who follow the doctrines of men are following the "doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1), and not Christ.
Because we are the chaste bride of Christ we are told, "Finally, brethern, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and, if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8). If we think good thoughts then we will be pure and acceptable to our Lord as His bride.