The Love Of Christ

The Love of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:14

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl8AGH-0Q7o

Today, I’d like to share with you 7 words that are filled with such a meaning that it literally began to take my breath away seeing the immensity and intensity of them.

In this verse, Paul speaks of his motivation for ministry, which should be ours as well. And can I just say that without the right motivation, very little progress can be made.

When the apostle Paul wrote these words, I believe he was describing the powerful, Spirit-filled motivation that drives followers of Jesus to share the gospel in ways that persuade people to commit their lives to Him.

This should then be our motivation.

“For the love of Christ constraineth us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14a KJV)

I’ve chosen the King James version for our verse today because they used the word, “constaineth.” And the reason is the multiple definitions of this word, and how, while they all apply to the love God has for us, they also can apply for our love for God. What we might say is that this phrase is double sided, that is, it is a two-edged sword, dividing both ways, and all for our good.

But to begin, I’d like to take time with you to look at this wonderful phrase, “The Love of Christ.” And while it is a phrase that occurs throughout the Bible in various forms, it is only used twice in this way.

“The Love of Christ.” There is no greater subject that we could really talk about. The love of Christ has a prominent place throughout the Bible, which is God’s revelation to this world.

But it isn’t just confined to the New Testament, but it is found throughout the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament we see it in the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, because Messiah is the Hebrew of the Greek word, Christ.

Now, you might be wondering where it’s found. The best and most prominent place is Isaiah chapter 53. Here are just a couple of verses to show you the love of Christ, the Messiah.

“Surely, He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)

Just how much love is shown? Well He took our place and died the death, we all deserve, as the Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Talking about how great this love is, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NKJV)

And Jesus goes on to say, “I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (John 15:15-16a)

In Romans chapter 5, Paul said, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8 NKJV)

“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:10 NKJV)

That is how great the Love of Christ is, that He died for everyone, both friend and enemy.

And this is the heart, the essence if you would, of the good news of how Jesus came and died for us upon the cross, even while we were His enemies, while we were still sinners, and it was and is all about His love for us.

But the Love of Christ is seen in even a greater capacity, because of the Love of Christ is in all actuality, the Love of God towards us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)

But since we started this whole thing talking about how great the Love of Christ is, the Apostle Paul really nails it on the head, and this is the other verse that this phrase is used.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height, to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV)