Compelled
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10, 14-17 (NIV)
6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7For we live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And 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.
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Message: Compelled
Paul’s explanation
One of the best ways to make sense of Paul’s letters in the Bible, is to read it as an explanation
Paul writes to fellow believers to help them in their faith by giving an explanation
In his letters he explains concepts like the relationship between good deeds and grace (as an example)
Although everything of faith and God cannot be explained, Paul is a thinker that likes to explain and share his thoughts
Ultimately, as believers that the Bible is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3: 16), God is speaking into our lives through the insights and explanations of Paul
It means that we discover the deeper meaning of our faith through these letters and explanations of Paul
We believe that our faith and ability to comprehend a relationship with God through Christ, are inspired by the Holy Spirit (that is what Pentecost is all about)
So, when we are reading the letters of Paul, we are not reading stories - rather we read Scripture through which God is helping us to make sense of our faith
Today we read a excerpt from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians explaining living by faith
By faith, not by sight
In verse 7 he says: “we live by faith, not by sight”
These are words that says faith is more than what is perceivable
Sight, Vision, Insight and even understanding can only take you so far
The life he is living, Paul says, has a deeper element than just what can be seen or perceived
In today’s language, we could perhaps say: “we live by faith, not by science”
Not saying at all that science is not important
Rather saying that there is an element of life that is beyond science… beyond what we are able to perceive… beyond what we can comprehend and understand
In a sense Paul is saying to us as believers, don’t get stuck in faith-science debates - just know that there is more to life than what we can perceive or explain
Compelled by Christ’s love
In verse 14 Paul explains: “Christ’s love compels us…”
He is explaining the driving force of his life by saying that he is moved by the love of Jesus
It is a powerful explanation!
Just think for a moment - it is safe to say that everyone has a driving force behind their living
If we look closely, we see what drives people in this world… greed/materialism… the need for knowledge… the hunger for power… survival… addiction… pain… revenge… hate… anger… self-pity…
In contrast with these driving forces in life, Paul says: I am compelled by the love of Christ
Or in other words: The love of Jesus is the driving force behind everything I do
It is the love of Jesus that is the reason for Paul to go around in a hostile world to share the good news of Jesus
It is the love of Jesus that makes him sing while in chains
It is the love of Jesus that moves him to care for those who have not yet found a life in Christ
It is the love of Jesus that gives him a reason to get up in the morning
And it is the love of Jesus that gives his life purpose
Compelled to live for Him - a higher purpose
Thought the love of Christ, Paul understands that there is a higher purpose in life than just living for himself
This brings everything that he endures in life into a new perspective - life is not about himself, but about Christ
Just as Jesus gave his life because He loved so deeply, in the same way it is this very love of Jesus that compels Paul to live with a higher purpose that just for himself
That is how Paul chooses to explain his life - a life compelled by the love of Christ
How would you explain your life?
Hearing this explanation, we are moved to reflect on the driving force behind our lives
What would you say if you are asked what is driving your life?
This is not a question with the intent to make you feel guilty
I ask you this question today with the deep wish that you will discover or rediscover that your life is not about you but a life that is meant to be lived for Christ
Only in Christ the true purpose for your life is to be found
And only by his love you will find this purpose
This is my prayer for you today in whatever is going on in your life right now: “That you may be compelled by the love of Jesus!”
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