The Bride of Christ

February 19, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

2 Corinthians 11:2

The first Bible Study I did with a group of ladies was “The Bride of Christ.” How thrilling it was to study the thread of this topic throughout the New Testament. Referencing related verses in the gospels, epistles and Revelation as well as linking them with Old Testament prophecies, can be a very rewarding exercise. It may be hard to encapsulate a whole series in a few words, but let’s try.

John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the bridegroom (John 3:29) while referring to himself as the friend of the bridegroom. Jesus frequently referred to Himself as the bridegroom (Mark 2:19 etc.). That title implies there is a bride. Who then is that bride?

Several analogies give reference to the bride. She is pictured in Revelation in all her glory, as the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2). In Ephesians Paul correlates the union of husband and wife as one, with Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:22-31). Paul also uses this analogy in writing to the Corinthian Church when he writes “for I have espoused you [the Corinthian Church] to one husband that I may present you a chaste virgin to Christ“ (2 Corinthians 11:2).

The purpose of the mystical and ethical union of Christ with believers is to produce spiritual fruit according to Romans 7:4. The fruit is born of grace [a new concept] resulting from Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. The Bride obviously is implicated in the production of new believers. Another opportunity the bride has to minister that grace to others is seen in Revelation (22:17) when the Spirit and the bride issue an invitation to come, to take the water of life freely.

In the Old Testament, the theme of bridal love is represented by Hosea’s unusual marriage to a prostitute. This gives hope to those who might feel unworthy of the love of God, typified by Hosea seeking a bride from among those who are down and out. Cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, the Bride of Christ will be presented spotless before God’s throne (Jude 24, Ephesians 5:27). We all need to be reminded that since our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), we are all in need of God’s amazing grace, the blood of Christ which cleanses us from all sin! (1 John 1:7).

So, we see Christ’s bride is one chosen by God to represent Him, clothed in the purity of Christ’s righteousness. The universal church is given the power of the Holy Spirit to invite others to join, while waiting for the return of the Bridegroom. The Bride, comprised of every tribe and nation, is unified through the death and resurrection of our Lord, for the purpose of producing children of grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reflection:

Does this particular Bride come to an arranged marriage? How does that look?

How is the Bride of Christ clothed?

What are the expectations placed on this marriage?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

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Defined by Love

March 21, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by How Far From Home on Pexels.com

1 Corinthians 4

As we have noted before, people who came to Jesus were not defined by their mistakes, but rather by the love of a Saviour who gave everything He had to bring us life and light and love. His love is something we have the privilege of sharing with others, but it can only be given in the measure with which we have experienced it.

Think of the Pharisees. They tried to be what they thought God wanted them to be. They were so very religious, legalistically obeying the law to the letter. They came from generations of well-intended people who were proponents of that law, given by a loving God to protect them as they wandered in the wilderness, as they fought with their enemies, as they raised their children to become God’s children. Israel became a force to be reckoned with among the nations because their God was with them, but alas! they missed the spirit of the law.

From the beginning God demonstrated His love for everyone. He provided sinners with clothes to cover their nakedness; He still provides sinners with all that they need today. The rain falls on the unjust as well as the just (Matthew 5:45). God met with an Egyptian slave-girl in the desert and cared for her and her teen-aged son,; today that son’s descendants are scattered across the middle east, a powerful group of Arabs bearing the heritage of Ishmael, whose very name means “God listens”. As we go on through scripture we recognize that God’s love saved folks from other tribes, beyond His particular “chosen” people…Ruth and Rehab who are among the genealogies of Jesus, because God’s love defined their choices.

What it is that defines your life and mine? Have you been given eternal life because you received salvation purchased by the Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus came to give us an abundant life (John 10:10). What might that look like? His desire was to walk with us day by day, impacting our thinking and our feelings, giving us a new perspective and creating a new spirit (attitude) within each child of God. Through our new lifestyle God uses us to share the light of His truth with everyone we meet….family, friends, colleagues at work and even strangers.

The Apostle Paul had something to say about the way we live out our Christian lives. He taught that God “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts” (:5). We, as God’s servants, must prove ourselves faithful to the trust we have been given (:2). Paul was practical. “Who makes you different from anyone else?” What do you have that you did not receive?” (:7).

It seems the church at Corinth was fighting against pride and arrogance. Paul draws their attention to the humility required in a servant of God by telling them we might look like fools for Christ’s sake (:10). Then he lists many things we may have to endure, preferably with a loving and gentle spirit (:21). We need to remember we are in a battle for truth and righteousness. We need the Holy Spirit to empower us with kindly thoughts towards everyone, so that we can be true representatives of the love of Jesus. “The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power!” (:20)….power to reach out to those who are unlovely, just as God reached out to you and to me!

Reflection:

What a challenge it is to live for Jesus! First of all He knows our motives. Are they pleasing to Him? Do we behave as He would? Do we walk in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake? Are we motivated by a powerful, compelling desire to please Him? Are our lives defined by the love He poured out at Calvary?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

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Having All Knowledge

March 9, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

1 Corinthians 13

Today education has become a discussion point for children around the world, particularly for girls. Knowledge is thought to be the key to a better life, and therefore is to be pursued. Actually it is God’s will for us to grow in knowledge. He gifted us with brains and curiosity; language enables us to learn from one another.

According to scripture, wisdom and knowledge go together. The wisest man known on earth wrote “The wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter” (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6). Does that include time in a pandemic which has hearts failing out of fear? As we look at our world today do we really reverence the God who knows all things (Psalm 139:4)?

Solomon also wrote “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Job acknowledge his need of the One who “can do all things”. This God whom Job worshiped listened to Job as he talked about things he didn’t understand, “things too wonderful for me to know” (42:2-3). How often do we make observations about things we do not fully understand?

With these few thoughts in mind us turn to the scripture reading. God is revealing His will for His children; they are to emulate the Father by their love. Often we read this chapter as a challenge for the way we live, and truly it is that. But let us consider it as a revelation of who God is.

In the midst of a multitude of good things we find a small phrase embedded, beginning with the word “If”. If you or I have the gift that enables us to fathom all knowledge….. (:2). Think of it – we would understand why this pandemic has taken over the world. We would know how the stars came into being. Recently astrophysicists have sent equipment into space that is supposed to enlighten us on that topic. If we could understand what makes people tick we could solve the world’s relational problems, and the list goes on!

The Apostle Paul had been given some specific knowledge that enabled him to finish the “if” in all these verses. If we could speak all earthly and heavenly languages, if we could prophesy, if our faith was strong enough to move mountains, if we were magnanimous in our charitable giving and even sacrificed our lives as martyrs to our faith, what good would it do IF one key ingredient was missing.

Throughout scripture we see the heart of God; the essence of His uniqueness which makes Him worthy of all our worship, is LOVE. He has all knowledge. He knows you and me because He made us; He knows what makes us tick, He knows our every need. But without the love that reached down to earth in the person of His Son Jesus, all that knowledge is nothing. His love poured out on the cross revealed that knowledge alone is not enough. We need both head and heart to be engaged, if ever we hope to serve this great God!

Reflection:

It is a solemn thing to consider that without love God considers our lives to be worthless. Three small words say it all “I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). All our strivings, all our learning, all our fame and fortune are useless without the spirit of the living God motivating us. Our greatest hope is also found in this chapter. “Love never fails” (:8). God does not leave us to flounder alone, but puts His very Spirit within us to lead us into true love. So much masquerades as love today that has nothing of that quality which God knows is truly love. We have been given the gift of the knowledge of that love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Surrender?

February 2, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

1 Corinthians 13:3

A pastor recently asked the question “What are you holding onto that you won’t surrender?” That question caused me to examine my heart. Is there anything I long for? Are there unfulfilled dreams? Do I covet more stuff? Am I discontented in relationships? Do I need to feel more in control of my life? What irks my spirit most?

For me I admit time, comfort and convenience are things I find hard to surrender sometimes. I am a creature of routine. Surprises are fun but many people as they age, cling to habits of a life-time. Where has that feeling of serendipity gone? As young people we sang:

“All to Jesus I surrender; All to Him I freely give.

I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.”

Did our youth group really commit to that in everyday life? Looking back, God often brought the unexpected into my experience. Surrendered to Him, it was always good, even wonderfully fulfilling. Not that the experiences in themselves were necessarily positive, but I could always be positive that good would come out of them, through lessons learned.

The Apostle Paul talks about surrender. Hidden away in the most famous love chapter in the Bible the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write: “Though I surrender my body to the flames….” (1 Corinthians 13:3). Now under any circumstances that is not something most of us would want to do – it’s not on our list of expectations! Obviously it’s an extreme measure he is introducing to explain love….there is no sacrifice that we can make, even the death of our bodies, which is worth it, if we do not love.

Yet – there have been martyrs of the faith who have surrendered to the flames. We know that Paul, following his conversion, experienced death threats and attempts on his life. Daniel records the experience of his friends who ended up in a furnace so hot that those opening the door were overcome (Daniel 3:19-23). Notice Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not saved from the experience, but a visible presence stayed with them and in the end a heathen king gave glory to God for saving their lives.

Surrendering to the evil whims of others isn’t on our bucket list, but scripture is filled with examples of those who did. Read Hebrews Chapter 11. For the sake of bringing glory to God can we surrender to the unknowns that are bound to come in the year ahead? What is it that we are hoping for? Are we certain of things we cannot see? What is it that challenges our faith today?

Faith is all about surrender. “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He has their best interests at heart! This amazing God has promised to reward those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Can you surrender your life to Him?

Reflection:

What will motivate our choices in the year ahead? It is the desire to be led by love?

“If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, by have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Who knows what might come out of our surrender to God?

I must ask how far I will go in order to surrender to what is right?

How may the fires of our trials and afflictions bring glory to God?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)