FATHER’S Divine Master Plan included a Bride for HIS Son the Bridegroom!
Our Heavenly Father designed a Divine Master Plan with a husband-wife relationship based on Agape Love and unity.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 11:
2 You need to know that God’s passion is burning inside me for you, because, like a Loving father, I have pledged your hand in marriage to Christ, your True Bridegroom. I’ve also promised that I would present His fiancée to Him as a pure virgin bride.
Marriage is intended to create a unified, Divine bond between a man and a woman. That is the true Biblical definition of marriage, and no other worldly definition is acceptable in the Eyes of Our Heavenly Father.
In a marriage, there will be suffering, especially in the early years. However, on the other hand, the bond created by suffering together will be a sweeter, stronger, and more mature relationship.
It is written by The Holy Spirit in Hebrews chapter 2:
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
10 For now He towers above all creation, for all things exist through Him and for Him. And that God made Him, Pioneer of our salvation, perfect through His sufferings, for this is how He brings many sons and daughters to share in His glory.
Jesus willingly went through excruciating suffering on our behalf. We cannot comprehend the severity of His suffering in the final week before His crucifixion. He completely denied His flesh for us. Are we willing to suffer as we move toward becoming a pure virgin bride for Him?
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 3:
9 My passion is to be consumed with Him and not cling to my own “righteousness” based in keeping the written Law. My only “righteousness” will be His, based on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—the very righteousness that comes from God.
10 And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus and to experience the overflowing power of His resurrection working in me. I will be one with Him in His sufferings and become like Him in his death.
11 Only then will I be able to experience complete oneness with Him in His resurrection from the realm of death.
The natural man will try to avoid suffering of any kind. Why should we suffer? Paul wrote “to know Him more deeply-to have a stronger connection with Him”.
The Amplified Version provides a more concise explanation:
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
The reality is that suffering causes transformation. The military understands this when they send new recruits to boot camp. There is a rapid change in mindset and a brotherhood is developed.
What were Peter and John’s response when they were threatened and beaten by the very same leaders who unmercifully beat Jesus?
Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 5:
41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
And Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 1:
29 For God has graciously given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for Him.
Are you willing to accept this privilege?
Sin is rooted in selfishness, which is the greatest obstacle to intimacy. It hinders the formation of a strong bond. The very opposite of sin is unwavering obedience to Our Perfect, Loving Father.
Paul sums it up when he also wrote in 2nd Timothy chapter 2:
12 If we are joined with Him in His sufferings, then we will reign together with Him in His triumph. But if we disregard Him, then He will also disregard us.
13 But even if we are faithless, He will still be full of faith, for He never wavers in his faithfulness to us!
Within this passage lies the climax of FATHER’S Master Plan.