Will You Say Yes to the Dress?

Embracing Our True Beauty as the Bride of Christ

Have you noticed how easy it is to criticise the church these days? Cultural commentators see Evangelical Christians as hopelessly out of step with the rest of society. Public opinion polls show that a majority of Americans, especially younger Americans, are lightyears away from a biblical view of morality, which is considered narrow, obsolete and, therefore, subject to harsh criticism. Should we be surprised?

Spiritual transformation is the key to moral reformation – and those who view the Bible as a book of fables and who see biblical morality as hopelessly anachronistic don’t have access to that transformation. This should not shock us.

What ought to shock us, however, is hearing the church, the bride of Messiah, lambasted by those who claim to take the Bible seriously. Some Christians play a divisive game of ‘us and them’ that is, frankly, somewhat schizophrenic, as the accusers are seemingly unaware that ‘they’ are part of ‘us’. The bride is often her own worst critic.

Of course, much of the criticism is true. But even truer is Yeshua’s forgiveness and love for the church. Yeshua loves His bride and sees her as beautiful. He isn’t blind to our flaws; He sees them better than anyone. After all, He died to save us from the very sin that makes us such easy targets for criticism.

So, the church isn’t above honest critique. Many are understandably concerned and vocal about pastors who don’t preach the word or fail to mention the need for repentance. The pressure to accommodate today’s shifting morality has wreaked havoc on many.

I’m not suggesting we ignore it when our churches compromise on important issues and promulgate views that oppose clear biblical teachings. But we need to be careful about harshly criticising people whom Jesus loves and died for. We shouldn’t critique ‘them’ with self‑righteousness, but with humility, sadness and earnest prayer; we should beseech God to grant us, His church, repentance and revival. Otherwise, we’ll see others’ sin looming so large that we’ll lose sight of our own.

We in Jews for Jesus have many opportunities to see the church at her best. Last month, our Jews for Jesus missionaries ministered in more than 500 churches, sharing the message of Christ in the Passover. Thousands of people from diverse cultures and ethnicities welcomed us with love and genuine interest in our mission. Pastors encouraged their people to stand with us. Scores of individuals were eager to learn how to share the gospel with their Jewish friends. People opened their homes and fed us. They gave generously to support our ongoing ministry. They expressed care and concern for Israel, and they lifted us up in prayer.

I thank God for the church. Without it, there would be no Jews for Jesus. The church is a family, including me, warts and all. How about you? May God help us all to love His church – His bride – pray for her and be as generous as possible to her. In doing so, we will become more like the groom, our blessed Messiah Jesus.

Years ago, my daughter Ilana asked me to watch a popular reality show with her. It’s called Say Yes to the Dress. It takes place in shops where brides-to-be come with friends and family members to select their gowns. Sometimes, they bring an entire entourage, including aunts and uncles, sisters and brothers. 

As employees present one dress after another, the drama that ensues with surly and nit-picking comments going every which way can make you wonder why anyone would want to marry into this family. Yet, in each episode, there’s a moment when the bickering stops. The bride-to-be walks out in the ‘right dress’ to the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of those who, only minutes ago, were ready to tear each other’s hair out. Then come the smiles and the joy, the hugs and the tears, as that wedding day suddenly becomes all the more real and the beauty of the bride all the more apparent.

All of us who love the Lord need to rise above the bickering and (metaphorically) ‘say yes to the dress’. We need to see the bride as Yeshua does (Ephesians 5:27). Because Jesus loved us and died for us, we can love ourselves and one another as His church and look forward to that wonderful day when we all will be together at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

by David Brickner,
Executive Director