Though we have freedom in Christ, we are also called to live a life of holiness. As we continue to walk with Jesus, we are called to strive for purity in our worship while understanding that nothing we do can ever add to His gift of Salvation.
Perhaps this relationship is best understood by considering our "marriage" to Christ; "I promised you to one husband, to Christ" 2 Corinthians 11:2. Jesus demonstrated His love for us, His eternal bride, when He gave His life, and NOTHING "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:39. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us Hebrews 13:5, and even "if we are faithless, He will remain faithful" 2 Timothy 2:13. His love is perfect!
However, His perfect love must never produce complacency. We have no fear of losing our Bridegroom or driving Him away, and we need not earn His acceptance. But if we truly understand His love, we ought to be compelled to return His love in everything we do and live to bring Him glory and honor.
When the people of Israel turned their hearts away from God, it caused Him great pain. They were His chosen people - His chosen bride whom He dearly loved - and yet, they continued to seek a life apart from Him.
"How I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from Me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols."Ezekiel 6:9
This pain still occurs today whenever we withhold even a portion of our heart. We are married to a loving God who gave His life so we could live, but He is also "a consuming fire, a jealous God" Deuteronomy 4:24. When we allow our heart to become attracted to the things of this world or controlled by its set of values, we become an adulterous bride; "Don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?" James 4:4.
Many of our discussions of what is "acceptable" behavior for the bride of Christ, miss the true essence of our relationship. We are to be passionately in love! Our greatest desire should be to do those things which please the Bridegroom, not to cause Him grief as we live on the cold edge of what is "allowable." Everything is allowable! But what are the things which properly express our love?
Let's keep our heart pure and devoted to Him. Let's abide in Him and love Him with ALL our heart. Let's commit to living the remainder of our days as a faithful and loving bride.
- steve troxel
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