2 Corinthians 6:13
As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No.
Exchange: recompense, retribution
From the Greek word 'antimisthia' (pronounced an-tee-mis-thee'-ah): proportionate reward; matching compensation (which can be pleasant or painful).
Having reprimanded them for their lack of love and support to Paul and his companions, he now encourages them 'open wide their hearts' and reciprocate the same love he has shown them. He wants them to exchange their unloving hearts for hearts that love the way they're supposed to love.
Not just a show of love, either, but real true love which begins in the heart. If the heart of the believer is not loving people the way God wants them to be loved, then that heart is not right with God and needs to repent, that it might be forgiven and love anew.
What could happen if we truly opened wide our hearts instead of our mouths? Open wide, enlarge, expansion to receive, to make room for love, the agape form of love which is divine love, which needs a home and that home is our hearts.
Let us ask God to have His way in us, in our hearts. Let us come to Him even now, seeking to be active in His kingdom, divinely loving each other the way God loves us. Faithfully. Actively. Willingly.
It's the heart of the Father saying, "Love Me the way I love you". Open wide our hearts to receive the Love of the Father - Jesus Christ - that we may be able to fully love like God loves us. Feel that tug on your heart? That's the Spirit of God calling you into God's favor, God's grace.
Open wide.
Start A Fire - Unspoken
Build Your Kingdom - Rend Collective
Love Each Other - Graham Kendrick
Jesus Got Ahold of My Life - Dallas Holm
We Will Stand - Russ Taff
