Let’s imagine that a king made a decree in his land that there would be a blanket pardon extended to all prostitutes. Would that be good news to you if you were a prostitute? Of course it would. No longer would you have to live in hiding, fearing the sheriff. No longer would you have a criminal record; all past offenses are wiped off the books. So the pardon would definitely be good news. But would it be any motivation at all for you to change your life style? No, not a bit. But let’s go a little further without illustration. Let’s say that not only is a blanket pardon extended all who have practiced prostitution, but the king has asked you, in particular, to become his bride. What happens when a prostitute marries a king? She becomes a queen. Now would you have a reason for a change of lifestyle? Absolutely. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the lifestyle of the queen is several levels superior to that of a prostitute. No woman in her right mind would go back to the previous life.
As long as half-gospel continues to be taught, we’re going to continue producing Christians who are very thankful that they will not be judged for their sins, but who have no significant self-motivation to change their behavior. That’s why so many leaders have to use the hammer of the law and suffocating peer pressure to keep people in line. But what is the church called in the New Testament? The bride of Christ! The gospel message is in effect a marriage proposal.
Bob George
Classic Christianity, Harvest House, 1989, 72-3.
GraceQuotes.com 
Where, in the New Covenant, is the Church His Body called the Bride of Christ?
Picki-picky… It’s a mystery.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
It may be picky (we should seek to be picky when it comes to God’s Word) but I see in Revelation where it is the New Jerusalem that is referred to as the Bride.
Paul is referring to Believers in Galatians 5 who are one with Christ because He is in us. I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ lives in me.
in revelation she is called the wife of the lamb
That still doesn’t say Bride, whereas the New Jerusalem is referred to as the Bride.
2 Corinthians 11:2
2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Romans 7: 1-4
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
Ephesians 5:22-33
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ……
Great scriptures but they do not say Bride. The only reference that I see is that New Jerusalem is the Bride.
This is persuasion out of love, not fear. Fear torments but love gives life.
total grace goes beyond human understanding,at least thats the way i understand it,hence the renewing of our mind,its hard to understand how we can be unconditionally loved,and have unmerited favor,it does not compute, and I guess it will take a life time to completely understand it.
Amen, Amen, what a beautiful spot on comparison–it speaks deep truth–I’m a transformed Bride!