2 Corinthians 5:13 – 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.
Heavenly Father, Paul’s words convict and allure me. What a grand image and possibility—being controlled by the love of Jesus; not merely inspired or encouraged, but controlled, compelled, and constrained by Jesus’ love for us. I can’t imagine a more-to-be-desired way of doing life.
I’d be freer from people’s opinions, my vendettas, and cultural agendas. I’d be more intrigued than irritated with people; quicker to repent and forgive, than judge others and nurse grudges.
My thoughts, words, and choices would be shaped more by your grace than by my impulses, whims, and sin. I’d be more generous, and less selfish, more faith-full and less fear-full, more trusting and less suspicious, more present and less busy.
Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.
By the Holy Spirit, help me remember and rely on this good news: I’ve been co-crucified with Christ and have be raised to new life in him (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:4-5).
Through Jesus, I’ve been set free from the old way of life and have been placed into an entirely new dominion, epoch, and story—the new creation kingdom of Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:13). Sin’s dominion is broken, its penalty is exhausted, and its presence will be eradicated one Day. Make this palpable, joy-fueling, and liberating today, Father.
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.
May the love of Jesus be so compelling to me, I’ll gladly live for him… in my relationships and vocation, in my sufferings and my rejoicings, in my weaknesses and encouragements, in the face of known disappointments and with an eye toward an unknown future. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ beautiful and bounteous name.
