The Church's Glorious Nature
By Olden Holderby

I appreciate the opportunity to share with you some thoughts on the above topic. I am convinced that this topic has been greatly overlooked; so, let us go directly to our subject.

Our theme comes from Ephesians 5:27; therefore, there can be no doubt that God intends for His church to be glorious.

The New Testament uses the word glorious to refer to other things (nature, the eternal state of the redeemed, etc.); but we are concerned only with the church. What do we think when we hear the word glorious? It may be that we need to remold our thinking along these lines.

The text says, "...a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Look carefully at the words, without blemish, holy, no spot, and no wrinkle. Perhaps these terms do not require comment; but they do show good reason to think of the church as glorious. However, we need to carry this further.

What has God done; how did He design the church so as to make it glorious?

  1. The church is glorious because of its equality. This begins with the "every creature" in Mark 16:15, and the "every one that believeth" in Romans 1:16. The gospel terms of pardon apply absolutely alike to every one; for there is no respect of persons with God (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11). The men in the ghetto and the king on his throne have to obey the same terms in order to be part of His church. In Ephesians 2, Paul argues for the equality of Jews and Gentiles in the church. In verse 14, he said, "For he is our peace, who hath made both one..." Equality most certainly exalts the church.

  2. The church is glorious because of what holds it together--a bond of love for God, for Christ, and for one another. This emphasizes the fact that the church is composed of individual people who first have a right relationship with God. Perhaps John gave us the best reason to love God and Christ, "We love him because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) Jesus said that we are to love God with all our heart (Matthew 22:37). He who Loves God will not find it too difficult to love his brethren.

    Paul said, "The love of Christ constraineth us;" (2 Corinthians 5:14) It compels or controls us, and that is as it should be. In Colossians 3:14, Paul referred to love as a "bond;" and the same author said, "love never faileth." (1 Corinthians 13:8) Faith involves working by love (Galatians 5:6). A while back I read where someone quoted a first-century writer who, in reference to persecuted Christians, said: "Behold how they loved one another." This love for brethren in all ranks of life is wonderful to behold and to experience.

    Indeed, it is wonderful to deal with people who no longer lie, steal, cheat, deceive, envy or hurt others; but whose love for the truth abounds in their lives and relationships with brethren. Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you." This bond of love certainly brings greater honor to the church.

  3. The church is glorious because, in it, we find eternal hope. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." (1 Corinthians 15:19) Please understand, that the church is not the Savior; Jesus Christ is the Savior. However, only through the church does Christ save people who are accountable. Paul told the Ephesian Christians that in their past, they had no hope and were without God is this world (Ephesians 2:12), but he went on to say that they had been: "made nigh by the blood of Christ," and that their hope was secure. This hope, about which they learned through Paul's gospel preaching, is laid up in heaven (Colossians 1:5). Paul urged Christians to put on as a helmet, "the hope of salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:8) What wonderful hope! It is a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19).

  4. The church is glorious because it makes it possible for the world (by observing the church) to see God's wisdom. "To the intent that now unto principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." (Ephesians 3:10) This does not refer just to the gospel preaching done by the church. It refers to all functions and relationships in the church. As God's people go about doing His will, God's wisdom is clearly seen. It is God's wisdom, the wisdom from heaven, which directs and gives glory to the church.

    The church's glory is not merely something to see. I recall the first time I flew over Alaska. A small plane was taking us from Anchorage to our destination on the peninsula. From a few hundred feet above the ground, the scenery was unbelievably gorgeous. I recalled Isaiah's statement, "...Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3) I didn't really appreciate the scenery until I was back on the ground, walking about and sharing its beauty.

    So it is with this glorious church. Just observing it brings a feeling of awe; but the real enjoyment comes when we come down from our "observation posts" and share with others the things that make it so glorious. Each participant assists with demonstrating God's wisdom to the world. Our God provided a glorious arrangement!

    Many do not recognize and appreciate this aspect of God's church. This may well be the reason why some are unhappy in the church; and it may be the reason many see no difference between the Lord's church and the denominations. Let us all (beginning with ourselves) labor to remove every spot and blemish (sin), from this great and glorious church.

I think I understand what Paul meant when he penned the term "glorious church." Do you?


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