July 10

Love's Constraint

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. 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. So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. — 2 Cor 5:14-20 BSB

An ambassador may live in a foreign country, but he does not belong to it. He is there to represent his homeland, always seeking to advance its interests. We are called to represent Christ to the world. The word “constrain” suggests a constant pressure or urge, much like water being forced down a specific channel. Paul says, “I act as I do because I am under the spell of a mighty constraint; I can do no other; I am not master of myself. If my behavior seems unusual or extravagant, attribute it to Christ—His love compels me and carries me along.”

What does “the love of Christ” mean? Is it His love for us or our love for Him? These cannot be separated, for they are one. Just as sunlight strikes the moon and is reflected back to the earth, so too the love we have for Christ or for others is simply the reflection of His love for us. All love in our cold, loveless hearts is an extension and reflection of the love that began with Him, was revealed to us at Calvary, and now shines through us like sunlight reflected in a mirror.

The love of Christ does not constrain every Christian because many do not fully grasp the profound significance of the Cross. But once a soul truly understands, passes through the gate of death into the life of God, it begins to feel the compelling love of Christ. The center of our life must be the Risen Christ: “We no longer live for ourselves but for Him who rose again.” People may be described as eccentric—off-center—but when a person is centered on Christ, they become eccentric to the world. This is what it means to be a new creation. When we unite ourselves to Christ in His death and resurrection, we cross over into the Easter life. He has reconciled us to Himself and given us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors. We proclaim forgiveness to the sinner, freedom to those in prison, and the nearness of salvation to all (Isaiah 52:7-10).

Prayer

This empty cup for Thee to fill;
This trembling heart for Thee to still;
This yielded life to do Thy will,
O Lord of Love, I bring Thee. Amen.