The Life of the Betrothed!

The Life of the Betrothed!

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Col. 3:1-4.

We have a heavenly calling when we are betrothed to Christ, and what He thinks about us is sufficient for us! Jesus came as the light of the world, and He has taught us how we shall gather treasures in heaven, which is our future home.

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. . . . That your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matt. 6:1-4.

It is my natural man that wants to be seen by men, but then I will lose my life with Christ which I am called to gain. If I want to be seen by men, then that is my reward and I have no reward from God! If I deny myself to be seen by men, then I do not lose my self-life even if I give my body to be burned.

“Therefore put to death your members . . . .” Col. 3:5. Death will never enter in if I do not live my life hidden with Christ in God. Here it is not a question of certain deeds which I am supposed to perform, but that we do everything, in word and deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Col. 3:1-17. Only what we do as we serve the Lord Christ is true. Col. 3:22-24. Everything else is lies and hypocrisy. This bridal life can only be lived in simplicity of heart. Everyone knows in his own heart whether he lives this life or not. In other words, we can know whether we will be along in the rapture or not!

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may also be corrupted and turned away from that simple faithfulness to Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:2-3.

Eve lived in simplicity before she listened to the serpent. She had nothing outside the commandment she had received. She was at rest, and she rejoiced in this simplicity. When she was led astray in her thoughts, she began to think of something else besides what God had said to her, and this put an end to her peace and joy. Then she became aware of desires she had not known before.

We are in the same situation. We have to get our thoughts away from everything else—except from Him who is our betrothed—if we want to obtain peace and joy. To be seen by Him must be sufficient for us! That is simplicity of heart! In this simplicity we are freed from many temptations and unrest, and in this state all our works are holy. They will be treasures hidden in heaven. I have thought of Him and served Him alone, and He will reward me openly. This is what it means to live by faith.

He will come soon, the Bridegroom of our soul! Every eye will see Him when He is revealed. Rev. 1:7. Then we will be revealed together with Him, and there will be no lack of being seen or being rewarded openly!