Lulu, Yes I believe you are right. As believers we are betrothed to Yeshua (Jesus). Individually we are to be spiritually chaste, pure, holy virgins to the One Whom we are betrothed to. Throughout the scriptures the remnant of Israel is considered to be the Bride of Messiah. Gentile believers have been joined to this remnant (See: Rom. 11:17, Eph. 2:11-12,19, Eph. 3:6). Our spiritual chastity is our a pure devotion to Yeshua. He must be everything to us. We must have an unfailing and undying love for the One Whom we are betrothed to. We are part of the Bride of Messiah, and individually we are betrothed to Him.

There have been numerous times over the years when we would be confronted with a request from someone, and we were not near each other in order to discuss the issue, we would come to the same identical conclusion about the matter. This could involve finances, going somewhere, do we need to get involved in this or to not get involved, etc. My wife and I commented many times at just how much it amazes us when this happens . We do not “plan” this it just happens, and we have come to trust the Lord in these situations.

This does not mean that we agree on every single thing that we deal with in life, we both have very serene personalities and we have learned to respect each others points of view.

Two becoming one is a wonderful place to be, praise God.

Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
II Corinthians 11:2 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
There’s an erroneous teaching today going around that says the Jews are the bride of Christ and that us Gentiles have to take a lower seat at the wedding supper. Is this what you’re getting at? If so, you’re off base and being led astray.
God’s plan for His Children, just as with Adam in the Garden, is to have a relationship with us based on chastity. We’re one with Christ as Brother Skip pointed out and the only physical example Paul could use was a husband and wife being joined. Nothing could be any closer. Being one in mind, body, spirit and soul is precious. When Adam sinned he broke that bond with his Father. Christ made it possible for it to be reestablished. The Bride coming down from Heaven was clothed in White which is our personal righteousness. Christ working in us is to prepare us as a chaste bride, worthy of the new city. Thankfully, He does everything. It’s up to us to submit to His Life.

Roger,
I so understand your heart on the matter of “Churchianity”. Chip mentioned the “Harlot” on his post today. We know according to scripture that anytime the word harlot or her or she is mentioned it’s referring to Church or a body of people of one mind believing and worshipping a god or gods. The Harlot I believe is referring to the FALSE CHURCH SYSTEM that formed after the early believers in Christ. This Church, THE HARLOT, was formed under pagan influence and false gods and was incorporated as Christianity, as a tool Satan used in the beginning of organized religion to deceive God’s true Body. This was the beginning of the “GREAT DECEPTION”. The church as we know it today are daughters or offspring of the original counterfeit “The Harlot”. She, “THE FALSE CHURCH SYSTEM”, slept with the enemy, “Satan”, and committed spiritual adultery to her demise. The church has been in the Business of mixing the old with the New for several thousand years and the deception is getting BIGGER and more FALSE by the day. I too have left the man made temple called church several years ago for these reasons. I prayed for Truth because my heart was so burdened by all I was witnessing and the Lord answered my prayers by opening my eyes to this deceit. My heart yerns for God’s people to “WAKE UP”!!! because His Body is mixing and fornicating with the Harlot and she doesn’t see it happening because she has become BLIND and NAKED!!! May we all have Spiritual eyes to see God’s Truth for who He really Is.

Hello Roger,
What makes it so hard for people to “see” is the fact that we have 75% false teachings, i.e. wrong interpretation of Scripture, selective reading etc., but also 25% of truth, which acts as a blinding agent. (Unless it s 100% truth, a mix of false/truth teaching will only end up confusing or deceiving people.)

The issue, I find, is not so much that Jesus Christ is missing altogether, but rather that He is treated as an “add-on” and used as the eternal vending machine where we throw in a quick prayer and out comes the blessing. This, of course, can only be explained as the result of an utter lack of understanding who He is, and who we are. The God of the Universe could simply never be just an “add-on”, or like a big brother who is kind and just extra powerful to help us.

Most Christians seem to view Him as a nice guy, a buddy who just happened to have the power to do something “big” for us. Like a really good lawyer who is extra smart to get someone, who deserves a death-penalty, to walk away free.

Most Christians cannot comprehend what it means that He is Holy.

Blessings to you and your house!
All 4 Jesus!
Mario

Hello Chip. My wife and I are Christians and we have been married for 50 years. In no uncertain terms I want to state that much of that time has been a war of differences of opinion. We have had 7 children and we have moved out of the “conventional Church system” because we realise that the roots we were introduced to and felt comfortable with were often being replaced with what I now call man made variations. The values and responses and expectations as presented in the book of Acts very seldom were manifest in our midst. Many people were disenchanted as “Churchianity” became a focus by well intended but misled leaders. Something was missing. That something was Jesus Christ.. Get the picture. Please make my name and contact details available to anyone who may want to discuss this topic. I love the lord with all of my heart. If I can help anyone to establish a fresh connection then pls introduce them to me. I am 71 and have been through some difficult moments. Roger (Rog Drummond-Australia)
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