Controlled by the Love of Christ

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: That one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians 5:14

Throughout our lives we are controlled by many different things. Sometimes we are controlled by a sense of fear. This may come from facing a devastating situation, or perhaps it stems from the thoughts of losing someone you love. At other times we are controlled by excitement or joy. Suffice it to say we are, more often than not, controlled by something, or someone.

In this passage in 2 Corinthians, Paul makes a startling statement. In talking about the ministry of reconciliation, Paul boasts that 'the love of Christ controls us.' What an amazing statement!!

The Greek word here is Sunecho, which means to hold fast, to hold together. Another definition of this word is to be held by, or closely occupied with any business. Paul says here that they are held together, they hold fast to, and they are held by the Love of Christ!!! It controls them!

But why are they controlled by this love? What conclusion do they come too? They aren't controlled by the love of Christ because of the warm fuzzies they feel when they think about him. They certainly aren't controlled by the love of Christ because of how comfortable their life has been (Paul was writing to the Corinthians because his opponents were discounting his gospel because of the amount of Pauls suffering). Paul is controlled by the love of Christ because of this OBJECTIVE FACT: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised!!!

They are controlled by the love of Christ because of the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ! This fact holds them together, they are closely occupied with the Love of Christ!!

How does this apply to us? Let me ask you a question to start: Are you controlled by the Love of Christ? Not by the obligation to be obedient, not the do's and don'ts of scripture. Are you controlled by the Love of Christ? Does the OBJECTIVE FACT that Jesus Christ died for sinners and rose again and sits at the right hand of God CONTROL your life? Are you held together by this fact? Are you occupied by this? How does this impact you?

If you are there, great! Pray for us that aren't!

If you aren't there, how do we get there? What do we do? Paul encourages us in Romans 12 to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How do we renew our minds? I believe he gives us insight into that in Philippians 4:8, "finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
It starts with the Word of God. Dwelling, meditating, memorizing, studying, pouring over it, giving our lives to it. Its the written revelation of God to man! It's God's love story to us!! You want to be controlled by the love of Christ?? Immerse yourself in his love story!!!

Finally, and perhaps the most amazing thing, is that if you want to be controlled by the Love of Christ, cry out to him! Cry out to a God who doesn't stand a far off, but is with you, who hears your cries and delights to answer them. Cry out to a God who longs to pour out his love over you, to quiet you with his love, to rejoice over you with loud singing!! Our God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love! Great is the Lord and Greatly to be praised!!