2 Corinthians 6:3-13 -"We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also."
This scripture speaks of giving up everything you are to follow Christ, to be part of His family.
You can not give up everything if your heart is not involved.
Allowing the Holy Spirit to invade your entire heart is the key. The Holy Spirit never forces His way into the parts of your heart that you do not what to open up. He never picks a lock or kicks down the door... He simply waits for you to open it freely. He may stand and knock, plead or beg you to open it, but it is never forced.
The essence of Hospitality is rooted in this principle of opening up your heart to the Holy Spirit to come in. The previous verses paint the picture, rather graphically, on how to open up and what must be given up. When we as followers of Christ do what Paul and others do here.... "Opened wide our hearts, not with holding any affection"... then we are able to express this openness to others. This openness is the essence and key principle in hospitality.
I believe Hospitality is not something you do... it is an attitude we have. It is an attitude that does not come naturally and that is why Paul commands the leaders of the church and overseers to "practice" hospitality. Over seers and leaders of the church are to be given to the practice of hospitality according to the New testament. When the leaders practice this heart wrenching attitude, it can't help but effect, encourage, and glorify the body of Christ.
Where is your heart today?
Is it open?
Are you wanting to open the door of your heart fully to the Spirit of God yet are scared of what He will see?
Until you open your heart to God, you will never open it to others. I believe it is a ratio thing. The amount your heart is open to the Holy Spirit is directly proportional to the amount your heart, your home, your lives are open to others. Is the ratio pleaseing to the Lord?
