Paul wrote to the church at Corinth "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 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 Cor 5:14-15). Interesting phrase ... "the love of Christ controls us." The King James and others translates it "constrains." The Contemporary English Version (CEV) says "We are ruled by ..." The Berean Study Bible (BSB) says, "Christ’s love compels us." The word in Greek means "to compress," "to hold together," or, figuratively, to compel. That is, the word refers to pressure applied to produce a result.
Paul says that love ... compels, applies pressure, has some controlling factor in our lives. What exactly does the love of Christ pressure us to do? "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Cor 5:17). Isn't that interesting? Christ's love pushes us ... to change -- out with the old; in with the new. The old is the trespasses we commit (2 Cor 5:18-19) and the new is ...? "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5:20). The new is that we become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21) and operate as ambassadors, representatives of Christ here on Earth. We have His power and His Word to carry out His mission where we are until ... He calls us home again.
I try to keep that in mind. We are not of this world (John 17:16). We are "aliens and strangers" (1 Peter 2:11). Compelled, then, by the love of Christ, we must live as ambassadors and not residents, as forgiven and not damned, as righteous and not unrighteous people ... representatives of Christ. No one who is in Christ remains unchanged. And living like we are of this world is contrary to the truth.
It makes sense that if the definer of love dwells in us that we would be driven to act in love. That one might say it was... irresistible.
ReplyDeleteThis is the last day of full-time employment for my husband, who retires from his longtime job today (having turned 70 earlier this month). He’s worked full time for 46 years--the last 37.5 at the same company (which assumed seven different names/identities during his time with them!). He’s never needed to go on Unemployment, even though he “lost” his job twice during those years; both times, God had something else lined up for him in perfect timing. My husband rarely gets ill and has taken fewer sick days in 46 years than the typical employee takes in just one year. While always carrying a heavy workload in his niche position, he managed every year to fit his PTO in his busy schedule, for numerous family trips, special celebrations, home improvement projects, etc. (Even on his “vacations,” he got little rest.) I call him a “300% man”: He gave 100% at work, 100% at home, and still another 100% to avocational activities (including a rigorous participation in several community bands and orchestras, in which he plays French horn expertly).
ReplyDeleteIn the past, it was traditional for longtime employees to receive a gold watch upon their retirement. Since it is 2026, my husband was gifted an Apple Smartwatch. Ironically, he’s looking forward to no longer setting his weekday alarm for 5:15 a.m. or watching the office clock for “quitting time.” This new toy will no doubt do so much more than display the time, but hopefully it will at least keep him smart :).
It was also common years ago for people to remark, “He was a good provider for his family” (with the implication being financial provision). I have never liked that phrasing (as if a certain income is all a husband/father should provide his family). Instead, my husband and I know that God is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17) and “everything [we] have is [a gift] from God” (1 Cor. 4:7). While my husband is indeed a “good and faithful servant, who has done well” (see Matt. 25:21), our heavenly Father is the Great Provider (Matt. 6:26).
Now … if only the Social Security Administration (being a Lesser Provider) would get his benefits application processed and approved!