ENLARGING YOUR HEART IN LOVE

ENLARGING YOUR HEART IN LOVE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:13
“Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.”

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Romans 12:9-10; Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Peter 4:8; John 13:34-35; Philippians 2:1-4

Description: Enlarging your heart in love means developing a greater capacity to love, forgive, accept, serve and care for others without allowing offence or selfishness to restrict your relationships.

INTRODUCTION

Paul spoke to the Corinthian believers with unusual openness and affection. He told them that his heart was wide open towards them, yet there was a restriction in their own affections. The problem was not that Paul had withdrawn his love from them; rather, they had allowed something within their hearts to limit the expression of their love towards him.

God desires His children to have hearts that are enlarged by love. A narrow heart struggles to forgive, easily becomes offended, keeps records of wrongs and finds it difficult to rejoice when others prosper. An enlarged heart, however, makes room for people, shows mercy, forgives offences and continues to love even when relationships become difficult.

The Christian life is not merely about receiving God's love; it is also about becoming a channel through which His love reaches others. As we grow spiritually, our capacity to love should increase. We must therefore ask God to remove every bitterness, prejudice, selfishness, resentment and unforgiveness that has made our hearts too small for the love He wants us to demonstrate.

1. GOD WANTS YOUR HEART TO BE OPEN TOWARDS PEOPLE

Paul demonstrated that genuine Christian ministry requires an open heart. We cannot effectively serve people while deliberately keeping our hearts closed to them.

a. Open Your Heart in Love (2 Corinthians 6:11) — Paul told the Corinthians that his heart was enlarged towards them, showing genuine affection and concern.

b. Love Requires Genuine Affection (Romans 12:10) — Believers are called to love one another with genuine brotherly affection.

c. Do Not Live in Isolation (Proverbs 18:1) — Deliberately separating oneself from others can hinder healthy relationships and godly fellowship.

d. Make Room for Others (Philippians 2:4) — Christian love looks beyond personal interests and considers the interests of others.

Biblical Example: Barnabas welcomed Saul when other disciples were afraid of him and helped him become accepted among the believers (Acts 9:26-27).

2. LOVE MUST NOT BE LIMITED BY OFFENCE

One of the greatest ways the heart becomes narrow is through unresolved offence. God calls us to deal with offences rather than allowing them to become permanent barriers to love.

a. Forgive Those Who Offend You (Ephesians 4:32) — We are commanded to forgive others as God has forgiven us in Christ.

b. Do Not Keep Records of Wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5) — Biblical love refuses to preserve a list of offences for future revenge.

c. Overcome Evil With Good (Romans 12:21) — Love does not respond to wrong with another wrong.

d. Seek Peace (Hebrews 12:14) — Believers should pursue peace rather than allowing conflict to become a permanent condition.

Biblical Example: Joseph forgave his brothers despite the evil they had done to him and chose to preserve their lives (Genesis 50:15-21).

3. AN ENLARGED HEART LOVES BEYOND PERSONAL PREFERENCE

Christian love is bigger than personal likes, dislikes, social circles and natural preferences. The love of Christ teaches us to value people because they are created by God.

a. Love Your Neighbour (Matthew 22:39) — Jesus made love for others a fundamental command.

b. Love Beyond Your Circle (Luke 6:32-35) — Christ calls His followers to demonstrate a love that goes beyond ordinary human reciprocity.

c. Show No Partiality (James 2:1-4) — Christian love must not be controlled by status, wealth or outward appearance.

d. Value Every Person (Genesis 1:27) — Every human being bears the image of God and therefore deserves dignity and respect.

Biblical Example: The Good Samaritan crossed social and cultural boundaries to show mercy to a wounded man (Luke 10:30-37).

4. LOVE MAKES ROOM FOR FORGIVENESS

A heart enlarged by God's love does not allow bitterness to become its permanent resident. Forgiveness releases the heart from the prison of resentment.

a. Forgive Freely (Colossians 3:13) — We are to forgive others just as Christ has forgiven us.

b. Refuse Bitterness (Hebrews 12:15) — Bitterness can defile relationships and affect many people.

c. Pray for Those Who Hurt You (Matthew 5:44) — Jesus calls believers to respond to hostility with prayer and love.

d. Leave Vengeance to God (Romans 12:19) — We do not need to repay every wrong because God remains the righteous Judge.

Biblical Example: Stephen prayed for the forgiveness of those who were stoning him, demonstrating extraordinary Christ-like love even in suffering (Acts 7:59-60).

5. LOVE REQUIRES PATIENCE AND KINDNESS

Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 13 shows that love is not merely an emotion. It is demonstrated through patience, kindness, humility and self-control.

a. Be Patient With People (1 Corinthians 13:4) — Love does not become easily frustrated with the weaknesses of others.

b. Demonstrate Kindness (Ephesians 4:32) — Kindness is one of the practical expressions of God's love.

c. Refuse Envy and Pride (1 Corinthians 13:4) — An enlarged heart celebrates others rather than competing with them.

d. Walk in Humility (Philippians 2:3) — Love becomes stronger when selfish ambition is replaced with humility.

Biblical Example: David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, because of his covenant relationship with Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:1-13).

6. LOVE MUST BE EXPRESSED THROUGH SERVICE

An enlarged heart does not merely feel compassion; it acts. Christian love becomes visible when we serve, encourage, support and care for others.

a. Serve One Another in Love (Galatians 5:13) — Christian freedom should produce loving service rather than selfishness.

b. Bear One Another's Burdens (Galatians 6:2) — Love helps others carry their burdens.

c. Give Generously (2 Corinthians 9:7) — Love expresses itself through willing and cheerful giving.

d. Use Your Gifts for Others (1 Peter 4:10) — God gives spiritual gifts so that believers can serve one another.

Biblical Example: Dorcas was known for her practical acts of kindness and service to widows and others in need (Acts 9:36-39).

7. LET THE LOVE OF CHRIST ENLARGE YOUR HEART

Paul's love for the Corinthians was rooted in his relationship with Christ. The deeper we understand Christ's love, the greater our capacity should become to love others.

a. Christ's Love Should Control You (2 Corinthians 5:14) — Understanding Christ's sacrificial love should influence how we live.

b. Love Because God First Loved You (1 John 4:19) — Our ability to love others flows from God's prior love for us.

c. Let Love Be the Mark of Discipleship (John 13:35) — Jesus said that love among believers would identify them as His disciples.

d. Let Love Bind Everything Together (Colossians 3:14) — Love is described as the bond that brings Christian virtues into maturity.

Biblical Example: Jesus washed the disciples' feet and commanded them to follow His example of humble, sacrificial love (John 13:1-15).

8. CONTINUE TO ENLARGE YOUR HEART

Paul's appeal, “Be ye also enlarged,” shows that spiritual growth includes increasing our capacity to love. We must not allow past experiences to determine the size of our hearts.

a. Grow in Love (Philippians 1:9) — Paul prayed that the believers' love would abound more and more.

b. Let Love Increase With Knowledge (Philippians 1:9) — Mature love is guided by spiritual understanding and discernment.

c. Put On Love Daily (Colossians 3:14) — Love must become a continual way of life.

d. Keep Your Heart Tender (Ezekiel 36:26) — God desires to replace hardness of heart with a heart that responds to Him.

Biblical Example: The early church demonstrated increasing generosity, fellowship and concern for one another as believers shared what they had to meet one another's needs (Acts 2:44-47).

CONCLUSION

God does not want us to have hearts that are restricted by bitterness, offence, prejudice, selfishness or past disappointments. He wants our hearts enlarged by His love so that we can forgive freely, serve sacrificially, accept others, bear burdens and demonstrate the character of Christ.

Paul's words, “Be ye also enlarged,” remain a powerful challenge to every believer. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to remove every barrier that has reduced our capacity to love. May our hearts become wider in compassion, richer in mercy, stronger in forgiveness and greater in Christ-like love.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, enlarge my heart and fill me with genuine love for others, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, remove every bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness from my heart, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me grace to forgive those who have offended me, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me from selfishness, prejudice and partiality, in Jesus name.

5. Father, make me patient and kind towards the weaknesses of others, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me grace to love people beyond my personal preferences, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make my life a channel of compassion, service and encouragement, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let the love of Christ control my thoughts, words and actions, in Jesus name.

9. Father, increase my capacity to love as I grow spiritually, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make my heart continually enlarged in love until the end of my journey, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. Your heart shall be enlarged with the love of Christ.

2. You shall not be controlled by bitterness or unforgiveness.

3. You shall receive grace to forgive and release every offence.

4. You shall become a blessing to the people around you.

5. Your relationships shall be strengthened by genuine love and understanding.

6. You shall demonstrate patience and kindness even in difficult relationships.

7. You shall not be trapped by hatred, resentment or prejudice.

8. The love of Christ shall control your words, decisions and actions.

9. Your capacity to love, serve and bless others shall continually increase.

10. Your life shall become a living demonstration of the love of Christ.