Virgin Church

Weddings are beautiful.  I am such a sap because I always cry at weddings.  There is such a strong connection between the groom and bride (obviously), and when the bride enters, her eyes are locked on the groom’s, and the groom’s eyes are locked with his bride’s.  Everyone else and everything else seems to melt away.

You know, Scripture depicts the unified Church’s relationship with Christ the same way: He is the groom, and we as a collective unit are His bride.

Could you imagine if the bride walked in, texting on her phone?  What if the bride walked in eating a cheeseburger?  Or what if, instead of the bride’s father walking her down the aisle, the bride entered with her ex?  What would happen?  It’s almost ridiculous to imagine, eh?

2 Corinthians 11:2-3 says this:

“I promised you to one Husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him.  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.”

Are we metaphorically presenting ourselves to Christ as a “pure virgin,” or are we also giving ourselves away to something else?  Do you think it’s possible that we are “cheating” on Christ our Beloved in some way?  Unfortunately, cheating is easy – easier than you think.  Is Jesus genuinely the center of my attention and affection?  Is all of my heart reserved for Him alone, or am I harboring some sort of sin or anger?  Am I more excited to hear from Christ or to check my Facebook and Instagram?  Do I sincerely worship Jesus for who He is, or do I worship my flawed perception of Jesus?

I don’t want to be found distracted when Jesus calls for me.  I don’t want to be found metaphorically holding someone else’s hand when Jesus reaches for my hand.  I want to be pure and, yes, virginal – wholly and unashamedly reserved only for Christ – when He looks at my heart.  What about you?

So much love,
Josh