The Compelling Love of Christ
For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached
this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for
all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the
one who died for them and was raised.
Christ’s love compels us. Paul is saying
something about his motivation for his actions. Paul sees the love of Christ in
the sacrificial laying down of His life. Paul identifies with the death of
Christ as he says, “all died.”
The reality is that Romans 5:8
“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.” This is quite an extraordinary thing.
So, this loving sacrifice is what is the driving force in
Paul’s life. In fact, he says that in life we no longer live for ourselves, but
for Christ.
There is a theme in literature of a person who saves another
person’s life and then has a “life debt.” The individual then follows “savior”
around until that debt has been paid off. They become the servant of the one
who saved them until they have the opportunity to repay the favor of saving the
other person’s life.
In some ways there is a parallel here. Jesus has saved us
from death to life. As a result, we have a life debt. His love compels us to
“No longer live for” myself, but to “live for the one who has died for me and
was raised.” We become bond servants to Christ. I think this is a bit stronger
than the usual “I serve God out of thanksgiving.” Don’t get me wrong I am
thankful for God’s grace. However, compelled service to the one that paid the
ultimate price for me seems to carry more weight.
And what is it that compels us? Christ’s Love
God Bless You
~BJ Olson
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