How does Christ's relationship with the Church relate to marriage?

The relationship between Christ and the Church is the perfect illustration of the ideal marriage. Ephesians 5 presents Christ as the loving husband who gave Himself for His bride, the Church, to sanctify and present her as holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). This sacrificial love represents the essence of true marital commitment. Just as Christ sees the Church as perfect through His righteousness, marriages should reflect mutual love, grace, and acceptance. The permanence of this divine relationship exemplifies why Christian marriages should strive for lifelong faithfulness.