2 Corinthians 11 – 13; Acts 20:2; Romans 1 – 8

In the Old Testament we learn that Yahweh Elohim is a jealous God. In human terms “jealousy” is considered a negative emotion that leads to emotional and sometimes physical harm. However, a love so deep that an inner burning zeal evolves is inherently neither good nor bad. It all depends upon where that zeal leads. God’s love for His children leads Him to act on our behalf, even if that means to chasten us to call us back. Paul’s love for his brethren in Corinth was, in that pure sense, a godly jealousy.

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:1-14

For Yahweh Elohim and Israel, it was the lure of idols and false gods that drew out His jealousy. For Paul, it is the idolatrous lure of false gospels and false apostles. One of the remarkable consequences of this divine jealousy is the impact it has upon inspired scripture. In the Old Testament, page after page in book after book we find sound doctrine (“healthy teaching”) of the true way as well as righteous warning against false ways. So, too, the New Testament where we find the true gospel (“sound doctrine”) as well as warnings and corrections in response to false gospels and false doctrines.

Taken in combination, the scriptures provide a divinely-inspired guidebook that allows us to study and discern spiritual wisdom to apply to all of our current circumstances. We learn the true nature of God through His interactions with Israel and through His Messiah, Jesus. His wondrous and majestic nature is shown most clearly in His jealousy for us. He simply wants what is best for us because He knows what is best for us. When He sees us drifting away, He burns with a focused zeal to call us back.

Whether Paul is addressing the Corinthian brethren he knew personally after spending over a year with them or writing to the brethren in Rome whom he never met, his objective is the same. Teach the truth about the resurrection and salvation in Christ Jesus and to correct false doctrines Satan introduces into the Lord’s church.

You know the filth of your own sins … yet, by the power of God in Christ Jesus you are presented to Christ as a pure virgin.

Even as Eve was created in purity and innocence, you are re-created in the image of Jesus … as a consequence, you become a priority target for the deceptions of Satan.

It matters in your salvation what you believe … and, Satan will send false teachers to sows the seeds of deception.

You know the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for you and the price paid to redeem you from you sins … so, Satan confuses you with “light” and “sheep clothing” and teachings that have the appearance of good in order to draw you away to follow him while you think you are following Jesus.

I hear so many people complain about hearing “too much doctrine and not enough love”. The truth of the matter is that the sound doctrine of scripture flows from the love of Almighty God.

Scriptural truth and love are inseparable, because our God is a jealous God.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!