“Do you remember when We were alone and quiet, and you gave your life to Jesus? I don’t necessarily mean when you made an emotional commitment, but the day you understood His Lordship. I mean that determined moment when everything you were became Mine through Him. I also want you to remember the subsequent times when you confirmed your decision to have Jesus be the Lord over every fiber of your being. You sold out completely for My reasons, rather than remain in the feel-good religion of those around you.
“At those confirming moments, you came out of the cold, dead church; and set yourself on a bridal course with Me. Although I am no respecter of persons, I do honor the heart commitment of My true church and deal differently with those who are completely Mine. I take you at your word and your heart purpose, beginning the course to remove everything that is of the flesh in you. That is My determined purpose.
“You must understand that your life will never resemble the lives of those in My church who have never gone beyond selfish reasons for knowing Me. Remember, you have decided to respond to the call to be set apart over and over again. When you became serious from the depths of your being, I could begin the deeper work in you individually. In this late season, I am doing that increased work en masse.
“Look around to see how many of My people are going through trials to refine them. Be not surprised as more enter into My refinement and the trials increase. Some of My remnant will fall away even now because of the pressure. You remain steadfast. Regain your first love. We will make it through together if you rely on Me. Who will embrace the bridal heart? Let it be you.”
Phil 3:10-11 AMP
10) [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]
11) That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
Rev. 3:19 AMP
Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].
Far from an “elitism” mentality, there is a separation that is happening within the body of Christ. As usual, the enemy counterfeits any move of God, attempting to draw the unsuspecting believer into a trap of uniqueness or polarization. This end-time separation cannot be counterfeited, however, because it is not one of raising ourselves up, but one of lowering ourselves to a posture of complete surrender to the will of God in every area of our lives—esteeming ourselves as nothing so that Jesus can become everything in us.
This move to bridal preparedness is not the road that many will take because it is a road willingly taken to destroy every ounce of our carnal heart behavior. It is a crucified life, implemented by the Lord in those who continually surrender themselves to Him. It is a road of complete elimination of the flesh so that the Spirit of God is all that remains. It is the dedicated study of Jesus, embracing and accepting His very nature, so that when He comes, we will be like Him.
Waiting,
Jim Corbett
