¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Cor 5:14-15

There are 4 things to consider in these verses:
1. Christ’s love compels us. For Jesus, love resulted in action. His love caused him to take children in his arms and pray for them. His love caused him to proclaim the kingdom and to heal the sick, deliver those oppressed by the devil and raise the dead. It was love that put him on the cross to die for our sins. Equally, because of this love we are compelled to love others and to action just as Jesus was.

2. …because we are convinced… When we talk of the love of God, we are not just talking about a fuzzy feeling that one cannot explain. It’s about being convinced about truth, being informed about God – who he is and what he has done for us. It’s about reading and listening to the Bible and Bible teaching in order for our minds to understand and to become convinced. Fill your heart with the word of God and be convinced of the things you discover about God.

3. …that one died for all, and therefore all died. The death of Jesus on the cross is at the centre of it all. Ultimately that is what we are convinced about and that is what convinces us that God loves us. Oh that we would fill our hearts and minds with the power of the cross of Christ. Oh that we would know his love. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4. that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. This is exactly how Christ’s love compels us. Your life is not your own any more. You can’t just live it the way you want. You are no longer the “master of your fate”. Your Master is Jesus Christ. Let’s get our marching orders from him and let’s be quick to obey.

Today, allow God’s love to grip you and move you to action. Take a few moments to listen to his voice. Ask him what he would like you to do today. After you have a sense of what God would like you to do, this is what I’d like you to do: DO IT!

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