Message Three

Transformed and Perfected in the Church Life

Scripture Reading: S.S. 1:9-11, 15; 2:1-2

1. Transformed by the transforming Spirit in the church life—1:9-10, 15; 2:1-2:
   1. The lover of Christ is likened by Christ to a mare—1:9:
      1. Natural with a strong character.
      2. Living in the satanic cosmos (Egypt).
      3. Enslaved by Satan (among Pharaoh’s chariots).
   2. Transformed into:
      1. A lily—2:1b-2:
         1. Living a life trusting in God, not in her natural strength.
         2. Looking unto God with a single eye (eyes of doves), implying that she must also be a dove looking to God by focusing her eyes on one single goal—1:15b.
         3. Living among the filthy and unbelieving people (thorns)—2:2.
         4. Considered by herself a lowly and small person living in the low place (valleys)—2:1b.
      2. A rose—considered by herself something common among the people (Sharon)—2:1a.
   3. Praised and enjoyed by Christ in her loveliness in—1:10:
      1. Her submission to God through the transformation of the Spirit with the divine nature of God (plaits of gold) as ornaments in her expression (cheeks).
      2. Her obedience to God through the dispensing of the transforming Spirit with the divine life expressed as jewels in strings.
2. Perfected by the perfected saints in the church life—1:11:
   1. The perfected saints cooperate together with the transforming Spirit to perfect the lover of Christ in (Eph. 4:12):
      1. Her submission to God with the divine life.
      2. The constitution of her growth in the divine life with the all-inclusive redemption of Christ:
         1. His all-terminating and life-releasing death.
         2. His all-germinating and life-dispensing resurrection.
         3. His all-transcending and all-attaining ascension.
   2. For the building up of the Body of Christ in the maturity of the lovers of Christ for the accomplishment of the eternal economy of God.