Sunday Morning Podcast April 12, 2015. Bro. Richard Lehman
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 11:2-4
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Simplicity is the straightforwardness of the truth, which we must guard against pulling away from (Verse 3). The apostle Paul here was concerned by the integrity of the congregation’s service to Christ. Paul declared he was jealous over them as a husband would be, desiring to present them chaste (or pure) for Christ. Paul was concerned that the people would only choose right, God’s best, and not a counterfeit message. Choosing God’s best is the core of this message. Because true love for God is a choice, the very best one. In a human romance, dating is generally the route people have taken in this last century. But dating is based in a thought of a mere “trial” of romancing without any real commitment. In centuries past, courtship was the chosen manner of picking a mate for life. It was of a serious mindset, and not a lighthearted one. Being careful and serious minded about it, helped to make the best choice.
Our spiritual love for God, must also not be based in a “trying out”, but in a committed relationship. God’s ways are to “court us” with His truth and love, and not as in mere “dating” which implies being temporary. In Genesis 6:2,3, the men here are making their own choices for companionship, and not of God’s best for them. (…the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.“) Of all they chose. They weren’t choosing according to the wisdom of God. They weren’t choosing God’s best. And so today, also, often in spiritual matters, teaching, and worship, people make their own choices, based on their own wisdom.
Our relationship with God is of the most importance, and additionally affects our other relationships with mankind. Choosing through the flesh, is not choosing God’s best. It leads to choices based in self and sin. If seeking a relationship is based on our own wisdom, we are asking for failure. But spiritual wisdom in all we think or do, will only come from being fully committed to God’s leading us in all things. God in His love, “courts” us for a committed relationship with Him. God wants us to commit to not accept anything less than His best for us. Jesus prayed that we would all be one in God’s love, (John 17:21). In this we can be committed to choose God’s best.
Is that where you are today? Are you making and preparing yourself for choosing God’s best?