What of the Blemished Bride?

I begin to see, though, how this “shaking” seems to be uncovering hidden things in all areas of the Body. What is rising to the surface in it all?

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Is it all a sham? Or is God cleaning house?

I don’t know about you, but every time I hear of another high-profile minister being accused of sexual perversion or abuse, something in me dies a little and wonders if we shouldn’t just stop listening and supporting all “big” ministries.

I lie at the feet of Yeshua with my heavy heart and my frustration. He is quiet, but a blanket of peace soon covers me. I cry and confess my sins and the sins of my generation, my culture, and the western church. I’m again surprised at His patience with us, and I perceive that this unmasking of darkness is purposeful.

“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all” (Luke 8:17, NLT).

He sanctifies and chastens because He loves. He cannot allow the sin in the dark to continue or He violates Love. So it hurts, it’s ugly, and it makes us look foolish to the world. How do we respond as a Body? Some seem to lash out in anger, some leave churches, and some like myself weep. I begin to see, though, how this “shaking” seems to be uncovering hidden things in all areas of the Body. What is rising to the surface in it all? Pride? Judgment? Idolatry? Unbelief? Hate? Unrighteous anger? Slander?

 

Could it be that the sin of one being exposed in the public reveals the hidden sin and issues of us all?

What it shows me is another example of mercy in judgment. It seems to be better to be exposed now on this side of eternity by the proverbial cutting off of the hand so that the whole Body does not suffer in hellfire later on. I don’t think Jesus cares about the image of the ministry to the world. He cares about what He’s always cared about, the salvation of souls and His children, the salvation and sanctification of His “called out ones.”

See, Beloved, Ephesians 5 says He gave up His life for her to present her without spot or wrinkle. Looks like, for Him to present a holy and blameless bride, that a lot more exposing will be happening. I pray we will not throw stones but, instead, pray and weep for ourselves and our brothers and sisters.

“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault” (Eph. 5:25-27).

 

 

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About the Author

Cheryl is the author of The Waking, her first novel. She is also a business owner, an ordained minister, speaker, and student of the Word. She is passionate about seeing people know God deeply while finding true freedom and wholeness in life through Yeshua.