What is the effect of Christ's sacrifice on the church?

• A. He loved the church and gave himself up for her to sanctify and cleanse her, washing by the word, to present her to himself as radiant
• B. He will judge the church harshly
• C. He remains distant from the church
• D. He delegates responsibility to others

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that Christ’s sacrifice is meant to purify and set apart the church, so that she is presented to Him in radiant holiness. In this imagery, Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her not to leave her unchanged, but to sanctify and cleanse her through the washing of water by the word. The goal of that work is to shape the church into a beautiful, spotless community, prepared to be united with Him as His radiant bride.

This emphasizes that the transformation comes through the gospel message and ongoing discipleship—the Word—producing holiness within the people who belong to Christ. The result is a church that is holy, without blemish, and presented in splendor to Himself.

The other ideas don’t align with this purpose. Christ’s sacrifice isn’t described as judgment on the church, distance from the church, or a delegation of responsibility; rather, it is a deliberate, loving act to purify and unite the church to Himself.