even as Christ
Christ's love-work for the church is threefold: past, present, future:
(1) Past; For love, He gave Himself to redeem the church (Ephesians 5:25);
(2) Present; In love, He is sanctifying the church (Ephesians 5:26);
(3) Future; For the reward of His sacrifice and labour of love, He will present the church to Himself in flawless perfection, "one pearl of great price" (Ephesians 5:27); (Matthew 13:46).