LOVE IS THE REASON

“For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14, AMP).  

The thrust of this passage is clear: we are controlled by the love of Christ. But what is not immediately apparent is what is meant by “the love of Christ” and “controls us”. How are we to understand these phrases? In other then to reap the benefit of our text and be transformed and freed from conformity to the world which, ultimately, is God’s good and acceptable and perfect will for us, we must explore the meaning of the phrases further.

The phrase “the love of Christ” can mean two things and both are equally appropriate in the context. First, “the love of Christ” can signify the love which Christ has for us and has displayed in giving His life for our redemption (1 John 4:9). Alternatively, “the love of Christ” can be used in the sense of our love toward Him, so that because we love Him, we keep His commandment (John 14:15)

The two usages of the phrase “the love of Christ”, as we have just identified, are not mutually exclusive. Indeed I am convinced that the application of both usages is relevant to our understanding of what is required of the believer in this instance.

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2, ESV)

The “love of Christ” which “controls us” is one that guides and compels us to conclude as follows: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). Such is the constraining influence of love. Love directs and regulates our behaviour and conduct toward others. The love which Christ has for us and which we reciprocate by committing ourselves to a life of obedience (1 John 4:10), regulates and rules our lives, and modifies our character.

Love is known by the actions it prompts. In other words, when we allow the love of Christ to influence all our decisions and actions, we are spiritually equipped and empowered to live life at the level that manifests love as "a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God"; and to do so in a natural and almost effortless manner. I say ‘natural and effortless’ because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5), and we are thus enabled.

Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches in John 13:34-35 that through the influence of love His followers will characteristically behave in a way that is so different, and that by it they will demonstrate their discipleship to the rest of the world.

By faith we must yield to this grace, that is, to “the love of Christ”, so that we may have the power to live as Christ commands; “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God ” (Colossians 1:10).

Love is the reason…! It is the spiritual force that makes sense of the life of the true follower of Christ.

God bless you!

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