Love Is Compelling

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  (2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV)

 

The ESV says, For the love of Christ controls us…

As a mama of three, I sometimes wonder where I find the stamina to care for my little ones.  It certainly isn’t because I eat the healthiest diet (although I prefer to watch what I eat.) It’s not because I’m an ultra-disciplined, goal-oriented person.  (Hello, Queen of Procrastination, right here!)  And it’s definitely not because I have my act together.  (Yes, Jesus loves this hot mess.)  It’s because I love them.

My love for my children is what drives me at 2 a.m. to nurse and change my newborn son with tenderness.  My love for my children is what drives me to respond gently when they break a decorative trinket, and my temper wants to get the best of me.  My love for my children is what drives me to my knees crying to God for mercy and grace so that I can love them in a way that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

The word compel means to force or oblige someone to do something.  Christ’s love is a force.  It obligates me, if I accept it, to behave in a manner consistent with His character.  I give control to my spirit, my inner man, so that God’s love is the well from which I drink.

Over the years, I have been controlled by many things.  Emotions.  Thoughts.  Fears. People.  But as of late, I am more conscious to what I yield myself — to what I give control of my life.

What is controlling you?  As you examine your heart, who is on the throne?  Is it you? Something else?  Someone else?

Love is a powerful force.  So much so, it was the only force strong enough to hold Jesus to the cross.  A love that forceful and powerful should in turn be enough to push us to the throne of grace, and show itself in our everyday actions unless, of course, we are the one blocking its pathway.

 

Written by Diera Shaw-Mendez: Diera Shaw-Mendez is thrilled to be part of the team at Barbara’s Place. She is wife to Chaplain Juan Mendez and mama to Olivia, Sage, and Orlando. She enjoys worshiping at church, designing, event planning, and cooking. Diera is a God-fearing, Starbucks loving, tech junkie (…in that order!) who simply wants to remind women of God’s unchanging, healing love.

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Think About This: “Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love.” – Billy Graham

The Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 47-51 | You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, -1 Peter 1:6-7

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.