by John Chapman
Christ's love compels us
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 expresses it like this:
14For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And 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.
It is possible that this could mean either "The love we have for Christ" or "the Love Christ has for us". It is clear from what follows that the latter is what is meant in this context.
The driving force in the Apostle’s life is the love which Christ has for him. It will not leave him alone. It is at the centre of his life.
Whenever the Christian life appears to be a "drag', and I just can't be bothered making the effort to be godly, or lead people to Christ, it is invariably because I have forgotten the gospel. I have forgotten that Christ loves me.
How has Christ loved me?
Three times in these two verses we are reminded that Christ died for us. In verse 14 "we are convinced that one died for all", and again in 15 "and he died for all…" and "...for him who died for them and was raised again".
The death of the Lord Jesus is the great demonstration of his love for us. It was no ordinary death (if death can ever be ordinary). It was a sin bearing death. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross he took the punishment that was deserved for the sins of the whole world. He substituted himself in our place so that we could be forgiven and get back into right relationship with God.
We died so we could "start again'
Since one died for all then all died. In what way did I die? I died to a self centred, autonomy. I realised that I was not God. I was under the authority of Him who loved me and gave himself for me. His love for me became the basis of my love for others. I am automatically committed to taking the gospel to them. He died for all. I am committed to getting the gospel to "all'. There is sufficient in the death of Jesus to cause anyone who repents to be forgiven. It will never "run out'. His love is a big, broad and deep love.
It is the love of Christ which drives us in this direction.
Formerly an evangelist with Evangelism Ministries in the Diocese of Sydney, John Chapman continues his work in evangelism in his retirement. This article was reproduced from the November 2005 issue of the Australian Church Record.
