YOUR PASTOR IS JEALOUS!

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

YOUR PASTOR IS JEALOUS!

2 Cor 11:2-3

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.

           Paul alludes to a curious aspect of both Hebrew and Greek culture. He considers himself to be the person whom the Greeks called the paranymph and there were two at each wedding: one waited on the bride, the other on the bridegroom: their business was to serve them, to inspect the concerns of the bridechamber, and afterwards to reconcile differences between husband and wife, when any took place. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

           The church is the Bride and Christ is the Bridegroom. Paul felt it his personal duty to safeguard the bride for her husband. If she shares herself with any other man, she is guilty of unfaithfulness. The word translated "simplicity" in 2 Cor 11:3 means "sincerity, singleness of devotion." A divided heart leads to a defiled life and a destroyed relationship.

           The carnal and cultural distractions from fidelity to Christ is almost overwhelming in today’s church. Many excuses are offered which beg tolerance for rampant unfaithfulness but the guilt remains. I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. The word is zelos which, of course, means zeal for a good cause.

           Jesus used the same language when He accused the church at Ephesus of departing from their “honeymoon love.” (Revelation 2:4) As we begin a new year why not “renew your vows” with Jesus.

Dear Lord, let me not be lured away from loving you. Give me a steadfast heart. AMEN