The Love of Christ Compels Us

The love of Christ is the highest form of love. It is defined in the Greek language as “agape”, which is translated as selfless, unconditional, sacrificial and pure love, from God.

“For the love of Christ controls (compels) us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

In Charles Spurgeon’s book, The Soul Winner, he states soul winning is the chief business of the Christian minister, and indeed it should be the main pursuit of every true believer.

Christ gave His life for us because of His love for us. God’s wrath for our sin was satisfied with Jesus giving His life for us. Living our life as a Christian comes from the thankfulness for what Jesus has done for us at the cross and assuring us of eternal life with Him.

God wants us to share the message of hope through salvation so that others can be forgiven and reconciled to Him.

The love of Christ is two-way. It is Christ’s love for us and our love in return to Him.

This love compels us to share the good news of Jesus and to continue to grow as His disciples.

Ephesians 3:19 tells us to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Galatians 2:20 says that I have been crucified with Christ and it’s no longer I that lives but Christ who lives in me.

In 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 it speaks of being given the ministry of reconciliation. We are therefore called as ambassadors for Christ to reach those yet to put their trust in Him. We are representing Jesus, the King of Kings. Our love for Jesus and what He has done for us will be the main motivating factor in our life to reach others for Him.

Charles Spurgeon further states,

You are to be instruments in the hands of God, yourselves, of course, actively putting forth all your faculties and focus, which the Lord has lent to you; but still never depending on your personal power, but resting alone upon that sacred, mysterious, divine energy, which worketh in us and by us and with us, upon the hearts and minds of men.”

As an ambassador for Christ we carry His name and represent Him one earth. We have been given gifts and abilities from God to carry out this role. We have boldness and authority given to us through the power of the Holy Spirit to speak without fear. We have been given wisdom and discernment and the Word of God to declare. We are called to make disciples of all nations and to bring glory to God’s name.

I remember giving my life to Christ and being very enthusiastic about telling people my testimony of my new found faith in Jesus. I had a mixed reaction. Some people thought it was great as they had seen a real change in my life and behaviour. Others persecuted me. I remember my Mother was happy for me but had some reservations and she told me not to get too religious about things. I was incredulous about her reaction and told her I wanted nothing to do with my past as Jesus had totally changed me. I could not withhold the love that Christ had put in my heart.

I thought it was interesting how my salvation actually threatened others, or probably it was God convicting them of their sin.

Over the years I haven’t always been keen to share my faith. At times I have felt a bit shy, not knowing what to say and when to say it. I felt disappointed in myself later and prayed asking God to help me and forgive me.

A lot of evangelism is done in one on one situations with family, friends and workmates.  I found that as I read more scripture and started learning scriptures, particularly pertinent to the gospel and salvation, I gained more confidence. I started doing evangelism training and going to shopping centres and other public areas to practice sharing the gospel. Prayer was key to sharing as well. I found that God through His grace always empowered me to share the good news with people.

I like the passage in 2 Timothy 4:17, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”

In 1 Corinthians 3:6 it says “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (increase)”. There is teamwork involved and we cannot take credit for something that God ordains. We are His vessels that He uses to fulfil His purposes.

Matthew 13 speaks of a sower sowing some seeds. Some seeds fell on the path and birds ate them, some seeds fell on the rocky ground and because there wasn’t much depth the sun burnt them and they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns and were choked. Lastly, other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some 100-fold, some 60 and some 30. As we sow, the harvest will be reaped in God’s timing.

The love of Christ compels us to continue sharing His love with those that don’t yet know Him. This is good news that cannot be contained and hidden. It has to be shared so others can receive this salvation and eternal life from a loving God who gave His all for us. They too will then be compelled to share this love with others.

The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. (Psalm 136)