Constrained To Liberty

The result of Jesus Christ's work on the cross is that He has obtained for Himself a people who will serve and worship Him forever, and who will also demonstrate to all the excellent nature of God.  If that is the case then the words of Jesus in the Gospels that we,"lose our life" to find it become very appropriate and meaningful. They become foundational for what the Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:3 and what we read in these verses today in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." {NASB}At the root of a life so lived is the love of God. The love of God called agape in Greek has been called the supreme christian virtue. It is certainly a heart issue, as it is the product of a heart affected by the saving grace of God in Christ. But more importantly it is a heart issue for God. Because the weight of this word is in the fact that it was the love of God, from the heart of God, that  caused the action of God. That action was showing love in sending Jesus into this world, and again in Christ calling sinners to repentance and faith, and then again in shedding that same love abroad in our hearts so that it is a decisive, real thing in our lives.  Brought about by His Holy Spirit, it captures us, constrains us, circles us, hems us in, leaving no doubt that God loves us and we belong to Him. Therefore, as we experience this liberating agape love of Christ, we are compelled and constrained to live a life of devotion to God.  We are liberated from a debilitating selfishness to a life devoted to Gods' interests.  Where and how can we demonstrate such godly love? Well, the where is easy-wherever we are today. The how is between ourselves and the Lord.  How is God leading you? Who are the persons, groups or causes that might need a helping hand that you or I can provide? Remember we are here not to please ourselves, but Him who called us to be blessings and point the way to Christ. We live not for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose on OUR behalf. Let God show you, and be prepared to follow. God will certainly be glorified, souls helped and saved, and His people will be blessed!