Hey all,
Just heard a devotion thought from a pastor (whose name i forgot >.>). It seems quite relevant to us.
The verse is taken from the all-familiar letter, 2 Corinthians.
2 Cor 6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
This is a stern warning and a reminder that we are to live in accordance to God's Word as transformed Christians and not take our redemption lightly.
2 Cor 6:11-13 11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
As fellow Christians, we are called if not commanded to "open wide our hearts" with each other and that is to share our lives wholeheartedly, so that others may be blest. We do not engage with each other intellectually but with the desire to love each other.
2 Cor 7:2-4 2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
Interestingly, in the NIV, this verse falls under the heading "Paul's Joy". Paul considers it a joy to "live or die" with his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. And that is the extend of his love to the Corinthians. Not only so, it is the extend of Christ's love to all of us, that he died for us so we may be reconciled to God. They have shown us that we ought to love one another selflessly.
Very soon, we're gonna have new people in our group. Let us aim to love them with hearts wide open.
1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
