The Constraining Love Of Christ

For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.

II Corinthians 5:14

Love motivates in ways in which guilt and fear can never do. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth in the first portion of chapter five, he spoke regarding his desire to be in the Presence of Christ. From that series of thoughts, he turns to the subject of ministering to others in preparation for entering into Christ’s Presence. He cites, as his motivation for ministry, that the love of Christ constrains us.  The rationale behind this statement refers to the love which Christ has demonstrated in that He died for all. Paul is sounding the chords of the theme that we love Him, because He first loved us. The contemplation of Christ leads to the imitation of Christ. Behold, the love of Christ. What condescension; what heart; what effort; what outpouring do we see in His love to us. This is what motivates us in desiring to minister to others. It is because Christ has so deeply, so thoroughly, so overwhelmingly loved us, that we find ourselves motivated to love others. Here is motivation that is constraining. It propels us forward to the ends of the earth, and into the most adverse of circumstances. We love Him, because He first loved us.  We love others because of His love to us. We are, in a very real sense, paying it forward. We must, because his love constrains us.

O Living, Loving Christ,
how greatly You have loved us; how much does Your love affect us;
how strongly does it compel us to show forth that love to other people;
that they might first and foremost look to You.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning