I Peter 3:4 speaks of the "hidden man of the heart" and refers to
Rom.2:29, "....circumcision is that of the heart". Inward, not seen.
Simplyme, your post reminded me of the tabernacle. The outer court,
the holy place and in the inside, the MOST HOLY PLACE. Dwelling place
of God. His Presence dwelled there. But preparation started from the
outer court. Perhaps this would be like someone coming into the church.
Even after we have received "the earnest" of our inheritence, I believe
we have entered the Holy Place, but not the MOST HOLY or Holy of Holies.
At a wedding there are all the preparations and then the ceremony but
that's not the best part. That's just the part others are able to share
with us. Then the greatest part is when the bride and groom are alone.
The intimacy, the consumation of the marriage and the living together.
Tell me, married folks, how many love to always be in a crowd. No, if
you truly love each other, you will want time alone. It is not different
with our Heavenly Groom. No wonder there are so many divorces. If
you never make or take time for your bride or groom, it will not last.
The same with our Beloved Groom. Why would He want to stay around
when HE is only wanted when you need something.
Could it be that too many are still reliving the wedding and not going
on to "perfection", That day to day communion with the GROOM. How
can there be a successful marriage when one or the other is always too
busy with "other" committments. It takes discipline to be committed to
ONE. You must spend time and you must be intimate with your Beloved,
If we don't spend quality time with our Beloved, why would HE want to
stay around. God divorced Israel because she wanted "others". Idols!!!
Yes, there is a process to "Being spiritual OR only appearing spiritual".
There is the wooing of the groom to be, the response of the bride to be,
and eventually after the "marriage counselling", and a time set for the
wedding, the preparation, etc. and finally the "Day". Man's part is over.
Now it is the person married to the Heavenly Groom to spend quality
time with Him. His Word will tell of His Love and devotion and sacrifice
for us. He will lead and guide us into ALL truth. We are His. Look to Him.
This may seem lenghty but it takes time to have a "LASTING" marriage.
It takes time and patience and love renewed time and time again and
sacrifice and hard labor (birthing) etc. and hard work (providing for that
which was birthed. And when we realize we are responsible for what HE
has given us and hold it dear, we are maturing. we are becoming....
First that which is natural and then that which is spiritual. We don't
become spiritual overnight just as we do not become "mature" overnight.
There is a process and I wonder how much of the process has been
skipped by rushing through some of it.
Blessings,
Falla39