A jealous love part 1
I stumbled across 2 Corinthians 11:1-3:
"I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ."
These verses have been tumbling around in my head for the last five days. These verses show me this intense devotion Paul has to love those who are on his path. He knows the weaknesses of the Corinthians. He knows what seduces and deceives them. His love for their wellbeing drives him to pour out his life for God's beloved. Paul seems to be the broker in this wedding deal between the church and Christ. He is the one who has made a promise to present her to Christ as a pure virgin. The question I keep asking myself is "What am I jealous for in the lives of those I love?" Often I am jealous of people and what they possess. But, I am often not jealous for what they could become. I am finding the work of the church is tied up in knowing who people are and what they struggle with. It is understanding what deceives them, what keeps them from moving closer to their Bridegroom. I want to flesh this out more, but the church needs to be a community of people who know each other. A community that sees each other on the journey of life, a place to belong. I would encourage you to check out Jerry's blog he is trying to wrestle with what it means to create community among college students. Anyway, I have to run.
posted by Jeff and Jodie @ 6:06 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Somewhat relate, the other week I preached on Proverbs view of wealth and poverty. Knowing that many pastors use this as an opportunity to talk about seed theology, I thought what would it mean for a pastor to plant a seed rather than simply challenge the congregation to do it (which really means give the church your money). After talking to my wife, we decided to take our tithe for the month and break it down into five dollar bills and give them out to those people at our evening service. First to challenge them to think about where they spend their money. Second to encourage them to use it in places they are passionate, and I told them I am passionate for your spiritual growth therefore this is one way I look to express that to you.
Wow Mike, that's really cool.
Jeff, I think your wrestling with a question I've been asking lately, but in a more personal way than I've been asking it. The question is this: "How does this community shape my identity?" Often in the American church we think of ourselves as coming to the community of faith as fully formed individuals...and if that's the case, then to hell with them when things get hard. But Paul didn't do that, because his connection to Jesus bound him to Jesus' body and shaped his self understanding. So he could speak of himself as a marriage broker.
Just thought this relates to your situation, especially in terms of some of the discussions we've had about cultural context. You were not a fully formed, self-contained person when you arrived at Hanover...your identity is tied in with that community, and is being shaped by it...and that's a beautiful thing.
Jeff, Thanks for the mention. I am often convicted when I read 2 Corinthians, especially being jealous for the bride. Again and Again I am stunned by my lack of jealousy for the body of Christ. They are my community Thanks, keep posting, Jer
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