June 27, 2015: 2 Corinthians 6:1-14

2 Corinthians 6:1-14

6 As we work together with him,^[a] we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. ² For he says,

“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
    and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! ³ We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴ but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵ beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶ by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, ⁷ truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ⁸ in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

¹¹ We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. ¹² There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. ¹³ In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.

Reflection:
At the end of his passage, Paul is urging for the Corinthians to open wide their hearts.  Their is such love and grace that is to be given to them, but they are some how closed off to this notion.  We look around our world today and maybe are reminded of the Corinthians.  We have seen such violence, hate, judgment, and more.  What if we allowed our hearts of stone be made for love alone. What might change in the world?  Maybe we aren't the ones who need to open our hearts, but we know of others who might need to.  As we witness such acts in our lives, maybe it's time that we urge our brothers and sisters to have their hearts open wide.  It is time.

Reflection Questions:
Morning:  How has your heart been open to God's love?
Noon: Are you ready to open your heart?
Evening: How can you help others to open their hearts?