"THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONTROLS US!"

2 Corinthians 5:5-15                                  (ESV)
"5 HE who has prepared us for this very thing is GOD, WHO has given us the SPIRIT as a guarantee.
6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the LORD,
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at HOME WITH THE LORD.
9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please HIM.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, WHETHER GOOD OR EVIL.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the LORD, we persuade others. But what we are is known to GOD, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, SO THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE WHO BOAST ABOUT OUTWARD APPEARANCE AND NOT ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE HEART.
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for GOD; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
14 For "THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONTROLS US", because we have concluded this: that ONE has died for all, therefore all have died;
15 and HE died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for HIM WHO for their sake died and was raised."



"For "THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONTROLS US" is as good a start to a devotional as I can fathom.  But when one constantly desires to "BOAST ABOUT OUTWARD APPEARANCE AND NOT ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE HEART" they may be more interested in promoting their self-worth than the ONE who makes us worthy to begin with?  We must speak from our heart, and if our heart is focused on self-gratification we need to evaluate the condition of our heart.

GOD, "WHO has given us the SPIRIT as a guarantee" does not reveal HIMSELF by having us BOAST ABOUT OUTWARD APPEARANCES.  Jeremiah 9:23-24 says to not glory in our might or wealth, but to glory in the LORD!  The LORD "delights" in gaining glory from our lives, so why should we try to take the glory from HIM?  If we are glorying in our own selves, then we are elevating ourselves to a position to be worshipped, and that violates scripture.

When we glory in what we have accomplished we are drawing attention to ourselves rather than to the ONE WHO deserves it, GOD ALMIGHTY!  GOD controls even the air we breathe.  When we focus on what WE have done, instead of what GOD has done THROUGH us, we make ourselves to be bigger than we really are.  GOD can bring us down quickly.  HE can even bring us down quickly and permanently, as HE did with Herod in Acts 12:20-24.

GOD is not a being to be tested or tried.  HE is the Creator and sustainer of life, the Ruler of the Universe WHO has the power to give life, and take life!  HE gave HIS only SON, JESUS CHRIST, just so I could live eternally.  Because of that LOVE, "THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONTROLS US" to live for HIM and to share that love with a lost and dying world.  We must be able to "SEE" not everyone will be drawn to HIM, but we should show that "THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONTROLS US" to all who need HIM!!