START WITH SCRIPTURE:
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
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OBSERVE:
Paul appeals to the Christians at Corinth to live out the faith that they have received. The appeal is for a realized, present salvation:
now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! (emphasis mine)
We get some inkling of tension that may have existed at this point between Paul and some of the Corinthians, because he seems to find it necessary to establish his credentials.
He cites both negative and positive accomplishments that confirm his right to commend himself to them. He has suffered privations:
in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings.
And he has also made a positive difference in their lives:
in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, in the word of truth, in the power of God.
Paul then begins a kind of rhetorical riff that a preacher might employ, citing contrasts in his ministry:
by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
What he seems to be saying is that despite any bad repute that may have been spread about his character and ministry, he has been consistent in his proclamation and spread of the Gospel:
Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
Therefore, he is asking for the Corinthians to do the same:
You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.
APPLY:
There are times in the life of a church or of Christians that misunderstandings occur. Gossip, rumors, bad reports can damage a ministry or a church.
What can Christians do? I think we can find an answer in Paul’s example here. Put the cards on the table. Be honest. If there are allegations, get them out in the open; and answer the negative charges with the positive refutations.
Paul is trying to persuade the Corinthians to return his affection and to open their hearts to him, as he has opened his heart to them. Only by honesty and the willingness to be vulnerable can we establish a connection with those who may have become suspicious.
RESPOND:
I have learned long ago that no matter how sterling one’s character, how well-intentioned one’s efforts to do the right thing, some folks may misunderstand or misinterpret.
So, like Paul, we must reach out honestly and transparently to those who don’t understand. But we ultimately can’t really control what others think about us. Therefore, we must know in our own hearts how we have lived:
in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, in the word of truth, in the power of God.
Lord, help me to reach out to those who may be hostile or suspicious by being as transparent as possible. And whatever they may do, remind me that my heart is to remain open under all circumstances. Amen.
PHOTOS: “honesty, forgiveness” by david gee is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic license.
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