What comprises a living, loving relationship? Words spoken freely and hearts opened. Trust in the other’s love is required. These must be exchanged for a loving relationship to grow. If only one side expresses love, what will happen to the relationship?
Paul spoke freely and opened his heart. However, the Corinthians withheld their affection. False teachers were spreading lies about Paul, the founder of the congregation. Everything Paul had done for the Corinthian congregation was out of love. He sacrificed greatly for them, as the previous verses and others reveal. Yet, the split tongues of the impostors were digging into their hearts like worms into an apple.
A relationship with God through the grace and love of Jesus can have the same problem. God expresses his love for us in many ways. Yet, the devil influences us to look away from that love. We close our hearts to God and open them up to lies. I believe God is speaking to me through Paul, “I am not withholding my affection from you, my child, open wide your heart also.”
