THE CONSTRAINT OF LOVE

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1

A. "FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH US; BECAUSE WE THUS JUDGE, THAT ONE DIED FOR ALL, THEREFORE ALL DIED; AND HE DIED FOR ALL, THAT THEY WHICH LIVE SHOULD NO LONGER LIVE UNTO THEMSELVES, BUT UNTO HIM WHO FOR THEIR SAKES DIED AND ROSE AGAIN"
  1. Here we have Paul's commentary on the death of Jesus Christ and the basic objective:
    1. Christ died for all
    2. That all should live not unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them
  2. This objective of the death of Christ:
    1. Goes beyond the basic meaning of the atonement
    2. It has a change of life and service in view also B. LET US NOTE A NUMBER OF BASIC FACTS CLEARLY REVEALED IN OUR TEXT
  3. The test of life is found in its motive:
    1. The life of a rational and intelligent being must be under the sway of some chosen and cherished motive
    2. High degrees of intelligence find their expression in the careful selected motive
    3. When it comes to some people their motive does not get beyond hoping to receive a reward and be free from punishment
    4. But an infinitely higher motive is found in the sense of duty to God and to man
    5. This motive is actuated by pure love for that which will bring benefits to God and to men
  4. The sovereign motive is born at the cross:
    1. It receives its incentive in the love of Jesus, who loved me and gave Himself for me - Gal. 2:20; "He died for all" or for each of us
    2. That manifest love that caused the Son of man to die for us stirs love in us; it is a live coal in the heart of the believer difficult to repress
    3. The impulse that comes from the cross is sustained by the conviction of an enlightened judgment; Examples: It is said that Peter was about to be crucified, he asked a special favor from the executioner, to crucify him with his head down; "For", said he, "My master was crucified with His head up, and I feel so unworthy of His love to me, that I wish you would crucify me with my head down" C. THE POWER OF THE CROSS CONSTRAINS TO UNSELFISH SERVICE
  5. The first great effect of Christ's love is to change the center of life:
    1. Writes Paul, "To me to live is Christ and to die is gain" - Phil. 1:21
    2. "I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" - Acts 21:13
    3. All love derives its power to elevate to refine, beautify, ennoble, conquer, from the fact that such love makes the beloved and not self the center
    4. "Not I but Christ be loved, be honored and exalted" expresses the sentiment of the love born at Calvary
  6. Next, the dynamic of the cross becomes the inspiration of a sacrificial life:
    1. This explains the attitude of the martyrs of the dark ages
    2. This, too, explains the sacrifices you and I make for the cause of God; and that only is the rewarding motive of all sacrificial service
    3. Such a ministry is a glad ministry; it brings gladness to the soul even when one passes through much hardship
  7. Dear friends, is this your motive born at the foot of the cross of Calvary?
    1. It is, if the force of your motive is impelled by the love of Jesus Christ
    2. The cross will give you a new and different outlook upon life itself
    3. You will see infinite values in poor sinners for whom Christ died
    4. They will be considered by you as the trophies of the grace of God, certified on the cross of Calvary
    5. You will see them, not as you saw them in the flesh, but as they are in the shadow of the cross of Jesus Christ
    6. Such are the great mysteries of the gospel of the crucified and risen Jesus Christ
    7. This is why the science of Calvary will be the science of all ages to all the unfallen universe


Design © John Bryant 2011