TODAY'S DEVOTION...
Many years ago, before going into full time ministry, I recall the wise words of encouragement from a senior pastor that I have tried to live up to ... "just love the people".
The world teaches us to love the lovable and those whom we like to spend time with. But Paul demonstrates that his love is for ALL the people in Corinth, even the unlovable...
(2 Corinthians 6:11) " Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide".
When Paul says that his "heart is wide", he means there is no favoritism, he loves the entire congregation. Not just the nice ones, or the ones that served him well, Paul loved the people.
However, in the next verse, we see that not everyone returned that love...
(2 Corinthians 6:12) "We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us".
Love, whether it is in a marriage, a friendship, family or church, is a two-way street. Here we see Paul respond to this loveless problem in the church by saying the Corinthians are "restricted".
Here lies an awesome life lesson for each of us; straight from the Word of God: LOVE REQUIRES A RESPONSE!
Paul is telling us that when we don't return the Christ-like love offered to us that we are limiting ourselves! We cannot experience the full richness and blessing that God gives to those who not only love, but who also return love.
As a leader, not everyone will agree with you or even like you. That is something I learned a long time ago, but even so, I choose to love ALL people. God never charged us to "like" people, just "love" them.
It is my prayer today that we can learn to just love the people, ALL the people and not limit ourselves of the blessings of love.
HAVE A BLESSED (and loving) DAY! Laurie
TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 20-23, 2 Corinthians 6, Psalm 147:12-20
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