Guarding the Bride of Christ: Living with Sincere Devotion

Jesse Schreck
Jun 20
4 min read

In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul expresses a deep concern for the Corinthian church: “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.” His words carry a weighty warning and a call to action, rooted in his passionate care for the church. Paul’s “godly worry” (2 Cor. 11:28) reflects a heart aligned with Christ’s love for His bride, the church. Unlike Adam, who stood passively as Eve was deceived, leading to the devastating fall, Jesus actively protects and cares for His people. Paul follows this example, urging us to do likewise.

Frontline Biblical Missions and Church Care

Paul’s Godly Concern

Paul’s fear is specific: that cunning false teachings, like those that deceived Eve, would lead the church astray from a pure devotion to Christ. The fall brought sweat, fatigue, and heartache to the cultural mandate (Genesis 3), and false teachings threaten similar spiritual devastation and hindrance to the Great Commission. Paul’s response is not passive. Moved by the Spirit of God, he takes action through the power of the pen to warn, teach, and shepherd the church. In so doing, he models Christ’s proactive love.

Sadly, many today fall into passivity or, worse, spend more time *criticizing* the church than building her up. This ought not be. Like Paul, we are called to love the church not just with words but with actions—serving, encouraging, and protecting her (according to God's will) as Christ’s bride.

Living with Sincere and Pure Devotion

Paul’s concern reveals a vital truth: Christians are called to live all of life to glorify God, offering ourselves as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1-2). This means living with a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. But what does that look like practically?

1. Acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior. True devotion begins with recognizing Jesus’ authority over every area of life. We seek to know His will through His Word and apply it in all spheres of life, individually and corporately as the body of Christ.

2. Love God Fully. Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-40). This love is not mere sentiment but an active commitment to know and obey His commands (John 14:15, 21; 1 John 5:3).

3. Do All for God’s Glory. Whether in work, recreation, relationships, or learning, we are to do everything for God’s glory (Colossians 3:17). When this doctrine is rightly applied, it transforms our daily lives into acts of worship, as we discern and follow God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2

Actively Love Christ’s Church

Living with sincere devotion requires vigilance. We must always remain watchful [1]. Just as the serpent’s cunning led Eve astray, false teachings and worldly distractions threaten to pull us away from living purposefully for Christ today. We must guard our hearts and minds, staying rooted in Scripture and obedient to God’s commands. As Jesus Himself asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). Love for Christ is shown through our active obedience, and His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

In addition, we are called to actively love and serve the church. Rather than standing on the sidelines or tearing her down, let us follow Paul’s example—caring for, protecting, and building up the bride of Christ. This, too, is our spiritual worship, our response to God’s mercy and grace shown to us.

Missionaries: Guardians of Christ’s Bride

Future missionaries, your call to frontline biblical missions—evangelism, discipleship, church planting, and elder training—answers Paul’s charge to guard the church. You’ll face false teachings that deceive, cultural barriers that resist the gospel, and trials that test your devotion. Yet, like Paul, you are called to stand and act with courage, proclaiming Christ, discipling believers, planting churches, and training elders to shepherd God’s flock (Acts 20:28). The faithful work of biblical missions demands sacrifice, vigilance, and obedience, rooted in a sincere love for Christ and His bride. Begin preparing today: study Scripture diligently, pray for boldness, and serve your local church faithfully. And for all of us, let us support faithful missionaries through prayer and giving, joining their efforts to build up the church worldwide that the Kingdom of God may advance still more.

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 11:3 challenge us to examine our devotion. Are we living with a sincere and pure commitment to Christ, or are we at risk of being led astray? Let us strive to love God fully, obey His commands, bring the gospel to bear in all of life, and actively be part of and care for His church. In doing so, we honor Christ, who never fails to protect and cherish each of us who together make up His bride. May we strive, by the grace of God, to offer our lives as living sacrifices, glorifying God in all we do.

How can you actively show love for Christ’s church this week through your words and actions?

In our next post, we'll delve into some of the obstacles that keep us from loving the church, mainly false teaching regarding the gospel, Jesus, and the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Stay tuned!

Written by Jesse Schreck | founder, director, and missionary church planter in Italy with Practical Missions Cohort

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