Christian Living

---

‘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’

2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Of all the people that the scriptures acknowledge as having laboured for the church in its formative years, most Christians agree that Apostle Paul was one whose life and ministry epitomises a pattern for those who wish to serve the Lord. And in a declaration of his confidence in the quality of his own work in the Lord, he urges the church at Corinth and indeed all of us to:

‘Imitate me’ 1 Corinthians 4:16

I believe that one of his greatest attribute in ministry is the one he declares in the opening bible verse - openness. Openness is that attitude that allows for complete truthfulness in a manner that ensures that we do not hold back or hide anything that will be of benefit to another.

A look at some of the issues addressed in his letters indicate that he indeed tackled sensitive and thorny issues with an openness that allowed for genuine and tangible resolutions of these issues, some of which threatened to tear apart or stunt the growth of the churches. His openness also allowed for these thorny issues to be resolved in such ways as enabled the churches to grow and to produce genuine godly character in its members.

But openness can only thrive where the heart is pure. Thus, in verse 13 he challenges them to respond to his openness as children (innocent and pure of heart) and to reciprocate to his openness as one. His assertion that he speaks to them as children is also indicative of his paternal care for them as he speaks to them with the confidence and liberty that only a father could.

We all know that we sometimes are faced with issues so sensitive even our closest friends and confidants are reluctant to tell us the truth as they see it. But while our friends might cringe and evade giving us their honest opinion, our parents are often able to tell us the truth as it is. As a parent, I feel that I owe it to my children to be open with them. And that decision allows me to help them walk through difficult issues even though we might not be the best of friends for a while. But I feel better knowing that I have held nothing back that could be of benefit to them.

And on this premise, I raise the foundational issue that can alone birth openness in public or private ministry – paternal care. In 1 Corinthians 4:14-15, Paul tells the church at Corinth:

‘I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel’

He speaks of his liberty in addressing issues that might cause them shame, but only because he sees himself as a father to them.

Someone recently described the church today as a place full of ‘fatherless children’. We are eager to evangelise and birth many into the body but are unwilling to nurture or disciple them with the heart of a father. And in this, we have created many in the body who, at dire cross roads in their journey, find it difficult to connect with shepherds who will mentor or counsel them with the openness that will help to genuinely and tangibly resolve the conflicts they face.

Indeed many have come out of counselling sessions without the frank, honest and sincere appraisals they went seeking for; only to find their personal issues become the subject of gossips or sermons. It ought not to be so. Even in secular occupations, the law is often made to protect personal information shared to people in positions of trust. The kingdom of God should provide no less respect for those who share personal information in the course of seeking for prayer and counselling.

Genuine godly paternal care for those who turn to us for help or counsel would help us to minister with a pure heart.

The opening verse also implies that while openness is a two way road, most of us feel restricted to being open with others. I do. I truly believe that I have what I consider genuine reasons not to be open with some people – for example, they might get offended or it might be unwise to do so.

While we may feel that others are to be blamed for our lack of openness, however the blame for it rests on our shoulders. Though the church at Corinth was not open, nevertheless Apostle Paul was open and pled with them to do the same. Please note that he did not sacrifice his openness in his dealings with them on the grounds that they were not open with him.

While openness must be handled wisely, we must remember that when we are not open, we run the risk of having to tell lies, half-truths or walk in outright deception. And what manner of work can we build for the Lord if we have to lie, tell half-truths or walk in deception on the altar of wisdom or discretion.

Openness allows for genuine and tangible handling of issues. It allows us to be truthful and frank in our relationship and dealings with others in both secular and spiritual matters. It ensures that we are able to say to those we relate with the truth of what we feel or think. It allows us to build with genuine and long lasting ‘materials’ and to rebuke and correct those who are deserving of it in a manner that keeps out feelings of condemnation.

I truly doubt that we can build any lasting relationship or offer any appreciable help to those who need it except we do so with an open heart. Just as I also truly doubt that Apostle Paul could have been so successful in planting and nurturing the churches he ministered to if he had not been open. His openness enabled him to deal with issues that could so easily have derailed the churches in a manner that left them nurtured and strong.

So also would our openness help in providing profitable counsel to those who wrestle with issues that could easily derail them from the faith. For how else can we help someone overcome their challenges if we cannot be honest and sincere with them? Lack of openness often hinders our ability to genuinely minister to people in a way that produces an enduring work.

There are checks that we can put in place to ensure that our openness is allowed to work out the will of God:

• We walk in unfeigned love;
• We offer advice based on verifiable bible passages;
• We keep our hearts open and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit on a case to case basis.

Finally, I offer what I perceive is a biblical guide in resolving conflicts on whether to be open or not. In Acts 20:18-20, Apostle Paul states:

‘You know … how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house’.

A safe litmus test for openness, except in cases where the Holy Spirit expressly states otherwise, is to ask ourselves whether our openness will provide helpful counsel or not. If it will, we should choose, like Apostle Paul did, to hold back nothing that would be of benefit to others.

Shalom!

Chi Onwuchekwa

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE