God's design for marriage extends beyond the wedding day, focusing on harmony and sacrificial love as a reflection of His covenant with His people. The betrothed is called to act in a pure, moral, and faithful manner, embodying the unity, love, and interdependence that mirror God's relationship with His church, the bride of Christ. The New Testament image of the bride emphasizes key truths: the church is chosen for God's purpose yet free to choose, Christ in love establishes a covenant with His bride, His atonement serves as a betrothal gift, His love cleanses and makes the bride worthy, and the bride prepares for the future wedding day. Christ's love for the church is not merely theoretical but manifests in practical action. He gave Himself for her, a sacrificial act that forms the foundation of the church's existence. This love continues as He sanctifies and cleanses her, setting her apart for Himself and purifying her for a glorious future without spot or wrinkle. Christ's purpose is to present the church as His bride, complete and perfect, through a process that began with His death and persists in ongoing sanctification. He loved the church while she was still in sin, demonstrating a love that endures despite flaws, a model for practical, enduring love in marriage. Sanctification is primarily Christ's work in the church, not a self-determined effort. He sets the church apart as His unique possession, moving her from darkness into His kingdom. This process, driven by His love, ensures that the bride is prepared for Him, no longer belonging to the world but dedicated to Christ. As the bride of Christ, the church must recognize this separation and live accordingly, aware of the privilege of being set apart for the glory to be shared with Him. Husbands are called to emulate this love, loving their wives as Christ loved the church, giving sacrificially and regarding their wives as part of themselves, set apart and cherished.

Jesus Christ is diligently preparing His Bride, the church, for a glorious presentation to Himself. He nourishes and cherishes her, providing spiritual sustenance and care to ensure her growth and well-being. This process of sanctification is ongoing, as He cleanses her from all impurities, aiming to present her without spot or wrinkle, in a state of absolute perfection and holiness. His tender concern mirrors the care a husband should show his wife, reflecting a deep, self-sacrificial love that prioritizes her needs above all else. Christ's ultimate purpose is to present the church to Himself as a glorious entity, characterized by external purity and internal righteousness. This preparation involves removing all stains and blemishes, ensuring that no imperfection remains when she stands before Him and the hosts of eternity. Her beauty will be complete, a perfect symmetry of spiritual health and character, radiating the righteousness of Christ Himself. This ongoing work of Christ is not merely a past act but a continuous effort to bring the church to maturity. He provides spiritual food through His teachings and the ministry, ensuring that there is no excuse for ignorance or weakness among His members. As He nourishes and cherishes the church, He guards her from spiritual dangers and fosters her development, paralleling the way a husband must prioritize and protect his wife. The goal of this divine preparation is the ultimate glorification of the church, where she will be holy and without blame, sharing in Christ's own righteousness. This process, driven by His everlasting love, will culminate in a grand celebration when He presents His Bride to Himself, a moment of righteous pride and eternal glory. Christ's commitment ensures that nothing will hinder this work, as He employs every means necessary to perfect her, urging members to yield to His gentle guidance and avoid the harsher methods of cleansing that may be required if resistance persists.

Christian marriage plays a vital role in the spiritual preparation of the Bride for Christ, which is understood as God's church and its individual members. Each baptized member, both male and female, bears the responsibility of working with Christ the Bridegroom as He sanctifies, cleanses, and purifies His Bride. Married Christians must strive to live according to the principles taught in Scripture, ensuring that their union reflects the spiritual cleansing necessary for this divine relationship. Neglecting the study of God's Word often leads to marriage problems, hindering the essential cleansing of the Bride. When husbands and wives fail to prioritize spiritual health amidst busy lives, they impede this sacred process. Christian marriage should be characterized by governing oneself according to the spiritual principles found in God's inspired written Word, fostering an environment conducive to sanctification. Christ's ultimate objective is to present the church to Himself as glorious, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish. This cleansing is a continuous process, not instantaneous, requiring a lifetime of sanctification through the washing of water by the Word. It involves being delivered not only from the guilt and penalty of sin but also from its power and pollution, a progressive purification that transforms the believer over time. Husbands and wives must work together to create a peaceful home where the fruit of the Spirit can grow, mirroring Christ's love and provision of peace for the church. A husband should manifest a similar love toward his wife, desiring her to be prepared to walk before Him in purity and righteousness. Likewise, the wife shares this responsibility, supporting the spiritual growth of the family. The process of sanctification is accomplished through the Holy Spirit using the Word, which must be actively present in the lives of Christians. If the true church is to do a work for God, it must be built on His Word, and the same principle applies to marriage and family. By applying biblical principles, all marital challenges become manageable, turning problems into opportunities for solutions as provided in God's inspired written Word. Christian husbands and wives must collaborate to produce an atmosphere of peace in the family, ensuring that each other's spiritual sanctification and perfecting are not hindered. The focus remains on God the Father and Jesus Christ, as human partners do not sanctify or cleanse sins but can support each other in growing in grace and knowledge. Both husband and wife, with the husband bearing a greater responsibility for the family, must strive to make family life conducive to this divine preparation, so that Christ might sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of water by the Word.