"That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27, KJV).

 

"A glorious church" as the King James Version puts it, is the phrase that describes the church as the LORD desires it to be!

 

The NIV renders it "a radiant church" -- the Greek word for 'glorious' or 'radiant' was used four times in the NT; elsewhere in the NIV it is rendered "expensive" (Luke 7:25), "honored" (1 Corinthians 4:10), or "wonderful" (Luke 13:17).

 

Only in Luke 13:17 does it refer to something Christ was doing: "When he said this, all his opponents [the hypercritical hypocrites] were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the WONDERFUL things he was doing."

 

The word indicates worthiness and favor in the Lord's eyes; the light of his countenance shining upon her and being reflected. A related Greek word is rendered "glorified" by the NIV in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 12, speaking of the Lord being "glorified in his holy people" with the prayer "that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you."

 

A "radiant" church enjoys favor in the eyes of the One who is Light; rich blessings from, the abundant approval of, and a special relationship with the One who says: "Let there be light!"

 

An example of the Levitical priesthood, which failed to keep Israel on the "glorious" or "radiant" track, is written down as a warning for us (1 Corinthians 10:11). They failed to continue to walk in peace and uprightness with the Lord Almighty by showing partiality in matters of the law (Malachi 2:1 - 9). They did stop listening to the Word, and failed to set their hearts to honor HIS name. They didn't remember to obey ALL of the Lord's commands (Numbers 15:37 - 41).

 

Christ is working for: "a radiant church ... holy and blameless" and we need to strive to cooperate WITH HIM as he seeks that goal.

 

"A" implies ONE church, a unified body in the Holy Spirit!

 

"Radiant" implies "the light of Your countenance" (Psalm 44:3) reflected in the face of "His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9)! It implies a people highly favored by the Lord (Proverbs 16:15), and intimately walking with God (2 Corinthians 3:7 - 8)! It bespeaks "a holy nation" praiseworthy for wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 10:1, Philippians 1:9 - 11).

 

"A radiant church" consists of "children of light"! (Ephesians 5:8, I Thessalonians 5:5). The "light of the world" as our Master says (Philippians 2:15, 2 Corinthians 4:6), a wise people (Ephesians 5:15 - 17)!

 

May we find the grace to cooperate increasingly fully with God's plan for us to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6), a people of whom it may be said: "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people" (Deuteronomy 4:6). This is what Christ works for, and we have a part to play in cooperating with him in this work! (Isaiah 61:1 - 7).

 

We are to strive to be "blameless and at peace with him" (2 Peter 3:14). God wants us to be "at peace WITH HIM", the only real peace that really counts. That peace is much more -- and not necessarily the same as -- merely being agreeing with each other: it is agreement WITH HIM, the Holy One!