W I  D E N Your Heart

2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Jody Robertson

October 26, 2025

In today’s text, Paul discusses his relationship with the Christians in Corinth. But his primary concern is for their relationship to Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, he expressed how he would do whatever he could to bring the people of Corinth to Jesus. May we, too, be more concerned about people’s relationship to Christ than about their relationship to ourselves. Like Paul, may we not be concerned that they are like we are, but that they are like Jesus. We need to be clear that our calling is to represent Christ. Let us resist the temptation to focus on representing a particular political party, view on certain political issues, sports team, medical practices for healing diseases, etc. Don’t be more concerned about healing than about the Healer.

If someone has wronged you, there are more important concerns than making right the wrong done to you. The first is to be reconciled to that person. The second, and more important, is that person’s salvation in Jesus Christ. 

So, in summary, don’t let anything in you or lacking in you restrict others from being fully in Christ. (verse 12a)

Paul goes on in verse twelve to note that we are our own worst enemy when it comes to getting closer to the Lord. Like Adam blaming Eve and God, we can like to present ourselves as victims. A victim is helpless to do anything. But we can be as kind, good, giving, loving, and much more as we want to be. Our own affections limit us. God wants to provide us with a heart for Him. Don’t quench the Spirit. Pray for an appetite for the Lord. 

As we examine our hearts, let us consider the following Scriptures --

Colossians 3:14 says to put on love. Matthew 6:21admonishes us to be careful about what we truly treasure. In John 17, Jesus prays profoundly that His followers be united. In Matthew 9:37,38, Jesus says that many want to come to Him (the harvest), but there are not many who are reaching out to them (the laborers). 

So, don’t make excuses. W I D E N your heart for whatever the Lord has for you. 

For Further Reflection

What are you more concerned about – what people think of you or what people think about Jesus?

What do you think about more – whether people’s opinions are the same as yours or whether they have the mind of Christ?

What excuses might you be giving for not being more loving, kind, good, etc.?

Elton Nelson