Daily Devotional for Saturday, October 10
The Parent
“O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged,” 2 Corinthians 6:11, 13.
The phrase closed lips is the opposite of a mouth that is open. A person with closed lips does not mean he does not speak, it means he holds things back. He is not very forthcoming. This was not so with Jesus when He said in John 15:15, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
Paul took the example of Jesus and spoke openly and honestly with his brothers and sisters in the Corinthian church through the letters he wrote. Paul’s heart also was enlarged, meaning he had much affection for them as a father for his children. He was upfront with them as far as their sin and behavior was concerned, but he also let them know what he was willing to do for them so that they could increase in their own faith and love.
Paul often wrote in an endearing way. For instance, he called Timothy his own son in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2). Paul continued to use this term throughout the letters he wrote to Timothy. He addressed issues but was able to say the truth in love in all his letters. Paul’s desire was that the Christians in Corinth would treat him with the same love as he treated them. Not that Paul would withhold his love if they did not because Paul’s love was grounded in Jesus.
Paul emulated Christ in the way he lived. He told the church in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Paul loved as Christ loved.
Something to Think About
The churches of the Lord are part of the family of God. Be an example of Jesus and Paul and love unconditionally all your fellow brothers and sisters.
Karry Irizarry