Living for Christ Sake

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and 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.” - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Have you ever been compelled to do something?

It is as if there is nothing else you can do. You must do it. A home run hitter hits a home run and you are moved to jump to your feet and shout for joy. A gifted singer sings a song and you are moved to tears. A speech is given by a great orator and you stand to your feet and applaud. Compelled to do something out of the ordinary because of what we have experienced.

Paul says, that when we understand just how much Christ loves us and we experience the love of Christ in our life we are compelled to live. Christ's love is worth living for. When we understand and experience the love of Christ we are compelled to stop living for ourselves and to live for Christ sake. Not our sake and our pleasure but for Christ's sake and pleasure.

God steps down out of the comfort of heaven into our world as Jesus. He comes into our world because he loves us. He lives a perfect, sinless life as an example to us. He doesn't condemn us. He loves us. He takes on the punishment for sin and dies our death on the cross so that we could be set free and forgiven our sins. Because he loves us. He dies for all of us so that we can live. Because he loves us. He is dead and buried in a tomb. A stone seals the tomb shut but it doesn't keep him in the tomb. On that first Easter morning he rose from the dead and is alive today. He overcomes death. He defeats sin. Because he loves us.

We cheer like fools for home runs, touchdowns, and great performances. We are moved to tears by beautiful words and incredible experiences. We are compelled to respond.

When we understand Christ's love it will moves us to give thanks. It will move us to express emotion we may have never felt or expressed before it may move us to tears of joy. It will compel us to live, not for ourselves, but for him.

Love today. For him.

In Christ's love and mine,

Doug