11
Deception!
Carl Higashi2 Cor. 11:1-3
1 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Paul says that he is jealous for the people of Corinth. He is overcome with a godly jealousy that represents how much God loves us and longs to be in relationship with us! As he prays for the people of Corinth, he prays that they will be faithful to the one who gave them eternal life through Christ. Christ, the perfect husband to the Church, which Paul promised the church at Corinth to be presented to Christ as His bride, unblemished, without sin, and not deceived or distracted by anyone or anything else!
Paul wanted the people at Corinth to be focused first on the Lord, He was to be their Husband and they were to be His unblemished bride.
As thserpent's cunning in Genesis 3 led Eve astray, his persuasive speech distracted her from following God's specific and simple direction. She reinterprets the Bible, redefines God's intentions, and tries to hide sin instead of confessing sin and repenting. This was how sin entered into the world. Just as Eve was somehow led astray, Paul in verse 3 also warns the Corinthians that they too can be led astray by the enemy.
Today the Lord reminds me of how important it is to study His word deeply. Always being mindful that what He says is not to be misrepresented in how I live out His truth.
There will be times when I do not follow His truth, I need to in those times quickly run to Him and not hid. Confess my sin(s) and repent, truly repent.
Thank you Lord for this wonderful lesson this morning. You don't want us to live in fear, but freedom! Your word gives us direction and yet you also understand that we will never fully fulfill you word 100% of the time. That is why we all need a Savior, you Lord Jesus.
For your word says that "all fall short of the glory of God", but through Christ, we become God's glory, His unblemished bride with no stain or wrinkle. I am a sinner and need the grace and mercy of a Savior regularly. Help me Lord this day and everyday to hear from you clearly, not being rushed, not being anxious of all the "to dos" in my life, but instead spend more and more time and focused time at your feet.
Lord may I repent to you quickly and not be easily deceived or led astray.
Love you Lord, please give me a heart that is quick to repent and be corrected that I might be holy, unblemished for the glory of You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
