“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.” -2 Corinthians 11:1-3
From Scotty Smith:
Gracious Lord Jesus, as I pray my way through this Scripture this morning two things stand out with flashing neon brilliance. First of all, we already belong to you as a washed, cherished and betrothed Bride. Hallelujah! This is our defining identity as your church—your called out, beloved people. Stun our hearts, stun my heart, with this.
Our organization doesn’t define us. Our work doesn’t define us. Our ministries don’t define us. Your relationship with us and your love for us are our defining realities. May we never forget.
We are those upon whom you have set your heart; for whom you have given your life; and to whom you are returning as a great Bridegroom. Wonder of wonders! There’s no other relationship that comes close to offering the peace and hope as your relationship with us, no other.
This underscores the second thing that stands in this Scripture. The intensity of Satan’s hatred for the “first thing”—your unparalleled affection for us. He’ll do anything possible to lead us astray from our sincere and pure devotion to you, anything.
Indeed, Satan despises your love for us and he fears our love for you. He’ll let us be anything other than a church filled with deep passion and devotion to you. Whether overtly through condemnation and persecution, or covertly through seduction and prosperity, his strategy is the same—to steal our hearts away from you.
But he will not succeed, Jesus, for you have crushed his head and you have won our hearts forever. Glory! Wake us from our slumber. Send your Spirit with fresh convicting and invigorating power. Restore to us the bridal affections we had for you at first. Rekindle the fire and passion we experienced when it first dawned upon us that you made us to your Bride.
We are counted as pure virgins only because you have clothed our sinful nakedness with your perfect righteousness. We are devoted to you, Jesus, only because of your love and devotion to us. Fill our hearts and churches with the sights and sounds of the great Wedding Feast to come. We make our prayer, in your most loving and faithful name.
