O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open…. Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 2 Corinthians 6:11–13; 7:2–3
In an age of cynicism, we learn to guard our hearts carefully. We can become so accustomed to the disappointment that attends inflated promises that we might be tempted not to believe in anything or anyone, and yet if we adopt this attitude, it will have profound negative effects on our lives. There are some things that we can––and must––believe in. Paul reminded the Corinthians that, although they had greatly disappointed him (2 Cor. 2:4), he had never wronged or cheated them (7:2–3). Paul had earned their trust. Hasn’t God done enough to merit ours?
While it is wise to guard our hearts against many of the influences in this world, we must never close our hearts to God’s word. We must guard our hearts against Satan and his wiles, for he will destroy us quickly if we let him in (Eph. 6:11; Luke 22:3–6). Israel could not bear to open their eyes to God’s word, but requested that Moses veil his face when he brought the law down from the mountain (2 Cor. 3:13–18). Unlike Israel, we need to open our eyes, our ears, and our whole heart to God’s word (2 Cor. 4:6).
Opening our hearts this way to God’s word will not always be comfortable, but it will yield extraordinary benefits. First, open hearts are easier to counsel. When Paul counseled the Corinthian church to discipline a brother living in sin (1 Cor. 5), they responded with obedience (2 Cor. 2:9). Open hearts are also easier to correct, because they are constantly examining themselves (2 Cor. 13:5), and they allow godly sorrow to lead them to repentance (2 Cor. 7:8–11). Open hearts are easier to challenge. Because their hearts were open, Paul was able to challenge these brethren in Corinth to open their hands as well to those in need (2 Cor. 9:1–9). Open hearts are easier to comfort in times of affliction (2 Cor. 4:17), because they embrace the promise of eternal life in heaven (2 Cor. 5:1). Open hearts can also be commissioned. Within those hearts that God finds open to it, God has deposited an extraordinary treasure whose radiance far exceeds that of the simple vessel that carries it (2 Cor. 4:7). Because we fear the Lord (2 Cor. 5:10) and love Him (v 14), we uphold His message before a lost and dying world.
Will you let the Lord open your heart? One day God will “both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts” (1 Cor. 4:5). Isn’t it better to let Him open your heart now than to wait until the Judgment? If you will open your heart to the Lord, you will enjoy unimaginable benefits, and you can rest assured that God will never betray your trust and that He will guard your heart against all harm from now until eternity.