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.
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost
for His Highest” February 4)