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Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”EVEN AS CHRIST: Christ knew and r e a l i z e d that the church will always be filled with Christians who will have “good days” and “bad days.” He was not blind to her weaknesses. He walked among imperfect disciples. He rebuked them when they were proud, fearful, doubting, and even faithless. Yet He never withdrew His love.“Even as Christ” means His love was not based on performance. It was not conditional on consistency. It was not withdrawn when His people stumbled. He did not stand at a distance and criticize the flaws of His bride. He gave Himself for her.That phrase cuts deep. Many are quick to point out what is wrong in the church. They can list failures, name hypocrisies, and recount disappointments. But Christ did not stand outside the church taking notes on her faults. He stepped in. He sacrificed. He bled. He died.“Even as Christ” means sacrificial love. It means loving when it costs you something. It means staying when it would be easier to walk away. It means praying for the church instead of gossiping about her. It means serving instead of sulking. It means building up instead of tearing down.The church is not yet glorified. She is being sanctified. The same passage goes on to say that Christ is cleansing her “with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). He is still at work. He is shaping, correcting, purifying.If the Lord of glory loved the church enough to give Himself for her, we have no right to despise what He died to redeem.So before you find pleasure in pointing out the church’s imperfections, remember: He loved her at her worst. And He loves her still.Love the church. Pray for the church. Serve the church.