13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us.
Dear heavenly Father, what a magnificent and magnetic image—being controlled by Christ’s love; not merely inspired, encouraged, or even enflamed, but controlled by Jesus’ love for us. I cannot imagine a more-to-be-desired way of doing life.
To be free from people’s opinions and cultural agendas; unfazed by the “what if’s” of life in an uncertain world; not preoccupied with everything that “might” go wrong, or anchored to regrets of what I did wrong. To be so liberated by the love of Jesus, people might think I am a bit odd, strange, or crazy, like they did of Paul. That would be so awesome, Father.
Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.
By your Holy Spirit, help me to remember, and reckon with the fact, that I have already been co-crucified with Christ and raised to newness of life in him (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:4-5). By the death of Jesus, I have been set free from the old way of life and have been placed into an entirely new dominion—the new creation (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:13). Make this palpable and current in my life.
15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Merciful and mighty Father, may the love of Jesus be so compelling to me, I will gladly live with him and for him—in my relationships and in my vocation, in my sufferings and in my rejoicings, in my weaknesses and in my encouragements, in the face of known disappointments and with an eye toward an unknown future. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ lovely and loving name.
