Ephesians 5:25-27

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her

Ephesians 5:26 That He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word,

Ephesians 5:27 That He might present the church to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that she would be holy and without blemish.

Christ's purpose in loving the church and in giving Himself up for the church was to sanctify her by the washing of the water in the word. Sanctifying is by cleansing, cleansing is by washing, washing is by water, and water is in the word.

Christ is sancitifying the church so that He might present the church to Himself. In the past, Christ gave Himself up for the church; in the present, He is sanctifying the church; and in the future, He will present the church to Himself as His counterpart for His satisfaction. Therefore, love is for sancitifying, and sanctifying is for presenting. 

- "Life Study of Ephesians" P 454