Young People's Group

For the Love of Christ Compels Us

by Mitchell Tan
March 25, 2016

THE LOVE OF CHRIST AS A POWERFUL MOTIVATING FACTOR IN MINISTRY

Love can be a powerful drive in our life and ministry. When we are deeply moved by the love of Christ, it can motivate us to do much for Him. This was something that Paul wrote about in his second epistle to the Corinthian Church. He established that it was the love of Christ in his heart that drove him to minister vigorously.

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Paul had been deeply moved and impacted by the love of Christ. The Lord’s love for Paul was evident in how he was saved and called to an apostle by the will of God (2 Corinthians 1:1). The Lord had also comforted him through times of suffering in ministry (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He also continuously led him in triumph as he served (2 Corinthians 2:14). Most of all, the love of Christ was expressed through His dying for all men. The phrase “died for” is mentioned three times in these two verses. Paul placed great emphasis on this act of the Lord’s death as a demonstration of His great love for all. As we remember the Lord’s death and resurrection this Easter weekend, let’s appreciate anew the Lord’s love shown towards us.

OUR RESPONSES TO THE LORD’S LOVE

How should we respond to the love of Christ? We should be deeply compelled by His great love.

1. HAVING A STRONG SENSE OF IDENTIFICATION

This imagery of being dead in Him brings across the idea of identification for believers. Paul became so deeply associated with Christ that his old life was set aside. When we are identified with Christ in death, we must learn to die to self.

2. CHOOSING NO LONGER TO FOCUS ON OURSELVES

The Lord’s love changed the way Paul and company looked at their life. They have chosen not to live any longer for themselves. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20 of how he was crucified with Him and there was no longer an “I” in his life. Young people, can we also set aside the “I” in our life?

3. SEEKING TO LIVE A CHRIST CENTRED LIFE

Because of the Lord’s love, Paul sought to have a Christ centred life and ministry. It was about living his life for Christ and for Him alone. The focus of our life and ministry should never be with regards to ourselves. It should solely be on the Lord. Christ who has given new life wants us now to live for Him.

4. SERVING A LIVING SAVIOUR WITH A GREATER HEART OF LOVE

As we celebrate Easter, our faith is not in a dead Saviour but in a living One. He died and rose again from the dead. The Lord Jesus Christ is alive and sits at the right hand of the throne of God. Even as we have found life in Him, let’s seek to serve Him with a deep heart of love. Let’s increase our love for the Lord Jesus and seek to live for Him with greater fervour and faithfulness.

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