Affections

“You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections.” (2 Corinthians 6:12 CSB)

Some of the believers at Corinth were extremely libertarian in their views and lifestyles. Paul tried in his letters to help them understand that this was neither the way of Christ nor the meaning of what it means to be free in Christ. He tried to help them see its destructiveness to them. Undoubtedly, either some of them responding by accusing Paul of trying to control them, or else Paul anticipated that they would. Thus, he stated that he was not limiting them or trying to control them. Then he went beyond that idea and noted that what really limited them was their own affections. Their what? Their affections.

So, what is an “affection”? An affection is an object of your desire, something you like and enjoy, something you value and are willing to expend money, time, or energy to obtain. It is what you treasure. Treasure… Does that remind you of something Jesus said? It went like this, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” What we treasure or value is what tends to limit or control us.

One of the daily recalibrations we each must make comes from reflecting on what we value. That will determine more than anything else what we do and how our day goes.

Lord, Show us how our own affections or values can limit who we are and how things go, and once we see this, help us then to recalibrate our values, so that what we value is the same as what You value. Amen.