A  Bride Prepared      

Always a Bridesmaid, Never the Bride

What happens if we do not prepare?  “Always a bridesmaid, never the bride” is a saying that some young women bemoan when they ponder why it is that they never seem to be the bride at the altar.  Could it be that they have not followed proper counsel in their preparation to be a bride? 

The New Testament writers had to continually address a serious problem impacting the Church of God.  Preachers were passing themselves off as true ministers of Jesus Christ, while leading the brethren astray by telling the weak members exactly what they wanted to hear – as opposed to what they needed to hear.  People say, “That can’t happen today – we’d spot a charlatan minister in a minute.”  Well, that is not true, because false ministers are not easy to spot. “Such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”  (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

So, God included these verses for the very reason that brethren today are being led into grave error by false ministers – it is happening!  The Bride will have the spiritual discernment to perceive between false and true ministers of Jesus Christ.  In Peter’s words, here is what the counterfeit preachers are doing:  “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”  (2 Peter 2:18-19)

Echoing Peter’s words, Paul put succinctly what some ministers are doing, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”  (Romans 16:18)  “Serving their own belly,” means that the minister is looking out for himself – his future, his retirement, and his standing in his organization.  Paul explains further that it is possible to fall away from the truth.  “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?”  (Galatians 4:9)  Those brethren, who were once escaping the delusions of the world, turn again to the permissive nature of society – succumbing to corruption; they find themselves in bondage to sin once again.

The Bride Puts God First

Those who are preparing to be the Bride of Christ need to be wary and ask these questions so as not to fall short:  “Is my minister founded in the gospel of Jesus Christ, or does he vacillate between God and corporation?  Where do my true loyalties lie?”  How many make the mistake of being loyal to the church organization rather than being loyal to God and His Word?  That constitutes spiritual adultery that will disqualify the Bride.  The Bride puts Jesus Christ and His ways first in her life.

Let us ask ourselves, “Am I a Christian first and foremost, or, am I in the Church because it is a great place to fulfill a personal agenda?”  Be careful in answering – it is very easy to deceive ourselves.  Jesus warns us about men who “preach Christ” deceiving lots of people.  “Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you, for many shall come in my name, saying, “I am Christ,” and shall deceive many.”  (Matthew 24:4-5)  Incredibly, Jesus spoke of many false ministers – where are they today?

Over and over the Bride-to-be has been alerted through Biblical warnings to beware of men who can lead her astray and cause her to be jilted.  “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ…  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.”  (Jude :4, :16)  “The grace of our God into lasciviousness,” means that there are things being allowed in the church – both in conduct and appearance – that are morally reprehensible in God’s sight.

These verses say that some charismatic ministers cleverly articulate the inordinate desires of members by appealing to their baser human senses.  The minister who is an impostor will twist the meanings of God’s Word so as to appeal to the lower nature by providing pretexts like – “Be true to your humanity – God will understand – You are not like others – God will forgive – God knows your heart.”  “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 11:13)

The deceitful worker plies his trade, realizing that some will seek promotion or recognition – as in acknowledgment from the pulpit, advancement in the congregation, esteem among the brethren, or possibly access to the minister’s inner-circle of friends.  Because this travesty takes place in the confines of the Church congregation, there is a tendency for some members to let down caution and be caught off-guard.

Ministers become false ministers, not only because of phony doctrine, but also when they compromise God’s Word in favor of political expediency.  Being ignorant of the true nature of the gospel – they can abuse the brethren.  The mistreatment of a member can take place when a conflict arises between following the principles of God on the one hand, and dealing in corporate politics on the other.  While seeking to curry favor with headquarters, the minister relegates the member to a non-entity status.  They further their careers rather than serving God’s people according to Biblical guidelines.  They do not cause the brethren to look to God – but rather to themselves.  That kind of false minister seeks loyalty to himself – not to God.  A note of caution – be careful of associating with political ministers.

Servants of Jesus Christ

True ministers of Jesus Christ preach that true Christianity involves a life of trials, self-denial, suffering, self-sacrifice and hard work – and every other fruit of God’s Spirit.  Jesus gave and gave until He gave His all.  That was His example to us of a true minister.  Do not accept a substitute minister – and avoid substitutes for true religion.  If your minister tells you to avoid fellowshipping with converted brethren from other organizations – have the spiritual maturity to discern his error, and challenge him on doctrinal grounds right away.  Remember that your minister is also your brother in Christ, and you have just as much of an obligation to help him into the Kingdom of God as you do to all your other spiritual brothers and sisters.

The Bride will not be in the Kingdom of God solely because of tithing, commandment keeping, and food laws.  And, also, it is not enough to be doing “The Work” all around the world. “When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”  (Luke 17:10)  We are here to pick up the pieces, and to help put Christians back together again.  We do that by serving God and man.  A part of our duty is to bind up the wounds of those who have been hurt, and those who are afraid of being hurt again.  If we are to be a Bride prepared, Jesus requires nothing less than honest, faithful, and heartfelt relationships with God and our fellow Christians.

Chapter 12: Love and Marriage