(Picture credits at end of post)
Compelling Love
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 – NASB)
The love of Christ controls us. The NKJV renders it as: For the love of Christ compels us…
The two thoughts together give the idea of a controlled but compelling desire to fulfil Gods will, motivated by the love of Christ. In the previous verse Paul and his companions were beside ourselves, which is another way of saying they were almost crazy with excitement in declaring the Gospel. People thought they were out of their minds, when in fact they were the only ones among them having soundness of mind.
Oh that every church member had this apparently crazy mix: to be controlled, compelled and crazy with love for our Lord. To stand out from the crowd, yet make a lasting Impression upon it. To be noticed, and yet not be overwhelming. To be dynamic, and yet approachable and warm.
How will this happen?
It will happen when we allow the love of Christ to control and compel us. It will happen when we are not so self-conscious we are afraid people will think we are crazy if we are bold enough to share the Gospel with them. It will happen when we share the Gospel even if they do end up thinking we are crazy.
The love of Christ has to be a fire in our souls, a compulsion in our spirits, and a passion in our hearts.
Compelling Love
(© Monday 5th January 2015 – by Christopher Shennan)
For the love of Christ compels us… (2 Corinthians 5:14 – NKJV)
Not to be crazy but crazy in love,
Compelled by the love that compelled my Lord;
Bearing His cross to bring Grace from above –
So, Lord compel me – let Heaven applaud.
They may think I’m crazy; I don’t much care,
As long as I’m controlled by God’s own power;
As long as I’m spreading love everywhere,
And still live in His Presence hour by hour.
Light a fire of compelling love in me;
Let it burn up the dross and purify
All unworthy motives for what I do –
Make me a true witness before I die.
There are many things worthy to strive for,
But love is one thing worth it to die for.
Please check out my books at My website: http://www.christophershennan.ca
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Photo by Nik Frey. Copyright. Used under the CC BY 2.5 license; please note the Disclaimer at this final link. No changes were made to this photograph.
Gems of Discovery - Nuggets of Truth 
