The love of Christ compels us… —2 Corinthians 5:14

Paul said that he was overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God. We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience. The one thing that gripped and held Paul, to the exclusion of everything else, was the love of God. “The love of Christ compels us….” When you hear that coming from the life of a man or woman it is unmistakable. You will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life.

When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “…you shall be witnesses to Me….” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do— that is basic and understood— but “witnesses to Me….” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward. No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize. Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane— he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for— to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.” This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.

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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
This devotional today causes me to feel more inadequate than most. The feeling of “overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” is unfamiliar or very rare to me. Chambers goes on to at least let me feel like I’m not alone…
“Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God.” (and gives a possible reason)… “We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience.” This seems like a fair evaluation…after all, it’s the Apostle Paul that he’s quoting. So, what’s to be done? I’m convinced that just trying harder isn’t the answer. Based on many years of trying that approach.

You are correct, you cannot grunt and try harder to get “compelled by the love of Christ.” That will only make you a better Pharisee. Rather, focus on the quality and quantity of time you spend with me. Communing with me. All day, Every day. Savor it. And you will arrive at that place Paul describes …. not because you were striving to get there… but as a side effect of our growing relationship. Let go of it as a goal and only strive to be with me, and I will bring you here, which will be beyond whatever you currently imagine.

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