The LOVE of Christ Compels Me

No one can relate better to this concept of being compelled than a mother. Her love for her kids is so intense that she is compelled into caring for them, and she does so, 365/24/7. She may have been just a teenager wrapped up in her own world before, but the minute she has a baby, she changes into this love machine and sacrifice becomes her way of life, she will do anything to love that baby. She will care so much and so long, tirelessly and relentlessly.

No one in his right mind would even take on the role of a mother, working hour after hour, slaving away for her kids and for her husband, and without money, without days off, without vacations. The mother is really the servant of all. Why? Because she feels compelled to do it.

“Compelled” means MORE than being pushed to do something, for she is propelled by an inner strength and power that is irresistible. It’s an inner dynamo that generates motivation, inspiration and even physical strength. Compelled is the word that Paul used when he talked about his motivation for preaching the gospel. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”  2Cor 5:14,15

Jesus spoke of the importance of motivation when contrasting the hireling and the shepherd. The hireling will take care of the animals because he wants to get paid. But as soon as he sees danger (that is, when wolves appear), he abandons the sheep to protect himself. The shepherd, on the other hand, not only takes care of his flock, but he’s willing to put his life on the line to keep them safe (John 10:7–18). No greater love…

When the apostle Paul wrote, “The love of Christ compels us,” he was describing the powerful, Spirit-filled motivation that drives followers of Christ to share the gospel in ways that persuade people to commit their lives to Jesus.

Paul was telling the Corinthians not to be ashamed of either Christ or the message of reconciliation that brings life to those who embrace it (2 Corinthians 5:11–15). Paul understood the futility of life without Christ and the empty pursuit of righteousness through self-effort.

Even though the people to whom he preached were often hostile to him, and even called him crazy, the love of Christ compelled him to keep putting the message of hope in front of them.

The phrase the love of Christ could be interpreted in two ways: Christ’s love for people, or his love for Christ. Either provides motivation to take the gospel to distant lands in the face of opposition. The great love of Christ was such that “Christ died for all” people (2 Corinthians 5:14, NLT). Paul’s love for Christ was such that he was willing to die to self (Galatians 2:20).

Let’s ask ourselves, “What motivates us to share the good news of Jesus with others?” Are we driven by a genuine love, passion and affection for Christ, or by a clear understanding of Christ’s love for the lost, either or both will work.

When we possess this compelling, Spirit-driven motivation of Christ’s love, we become zealous in seeing the lost reconciled with God. We are willing to make ourselves “a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible” (1 Cor 9:19); we “become all things to all people so that by all possible means we might save some” (verse 22).