For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 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. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 [ESV])
What controls you? Fear? Greed? Envy? Stature? Christ? We
live in a time of fear for illness and death because of a worldwide pandemic
from a coronavirus. This fear causes people to be greedy and buy more supplies than
needed from grocery and drug stores. It causes people to say and do hurtful
things to other people. This fear is causing some people not to have the
staples of life in their homes and they are hungry, do not have medicine, and
don’t even have simple things like toilet tissue. Fear is causing people to be
inhuman to others. They care about no one except themselves. Fear is
controlling their thoughts, words, and actions.
Paul spoke about being controlled by something/Someone. He
wrote about this in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 Why be controlled by something that
causes you and other people grief and pain? The word “controlled” Paul used in
these verses comes from the Greek word meaning to be compelled. Being compelled
means being controlled by something or someone. What compels you? Striving
after your own goals no matter the cost? Striving to beat death, fear, or
poverty? Paul said he was controlled/compelled by Christ. Christ died for each
person so none would live only with thoughts for him/herself (earthly, flawed
emotions and intentions), but for Him, the eternal, sinless One who loves all
people and desires they be saved from their sins.
In the first part of 2 Corinthians 5, Paul wrote about his desire
to be with God in His kingdom. He compared this to being clothed by His Holy
Spirit. God gives His children, Christians, His Spirit to live within and
change them into being more like Christ. Since His children have His Spirit
living in them, they long more and more to be with God and to do what He desires.
God’s great desire is that all people come to a saving relationship with Him.
Because of God’s love for him, Paul felt compelled by love for God to tell and
show other people about His love. Paul said his aim was to please the Lord. His
love for God compelled him to please Him by his obedience to Him to tell everyone
in the world about Jesus. Since Paul’s chief aim was to please God, no other
purpose took precedence. Things that could have taken precedence would have been
fear for his life, security of home and food, stature among other Jews and
Jewish leaders, and bodily health. Paul stated definitively what controlled him
was the love of Christ (vs 14).
Understanding this from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, what
controls/compels you? Do you want to be controlled by earthly, flawed emotions
and intentions? Or would you rather be controlled and compelled by the sinless,
eternal One, Jesus Christ? Jesus’ love for each person compelled Him to die the
death each of us should receive as judgment for our sins. Jesus allowed His
love for us to compel Him to die for us.
In this time of a worldwide health pandemic, what compels
and controls you? Your fear of death and not having necessities? Instead, allow
the love of Christ who died for you to compel and control you. Allow God’s love
to control you so you help other people, are not panicked, and buy only what
you need. Seek to serve others, especially those who cannot take care of
themselves well during this time such as older adults, homeless people, people
with immune deficiencies, people who are chronically ill, and neighbors on your
street. Think of these people first, then you will be like Jesus who humbled
Himself by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7).
Are you afraid? Are you worried? Now is the time to pray and
to talk to other Christians. Seek the peace of God that surpasses all
understanding so your hearts and minds will be guarded by Christ Jesus (Philippians
4:7). Have the peace that Christ left with His disciples, not the peace the
world tries to give, but His perfect peace so that your heart is not troubled or
afraid (John 14:27). Put into practice what Christ has put into you and what He
practiced, and God’s peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9).
If you are not a Christian and want to have this eternal
peace that comes from God, talk to a minister or a Christian. Pray to God
asking Him to give you His peace and to help you understand His saving love.
Believe Jesus is the Son of God, confess your sins, and accept Him as your
Savior from sin and death, then God’s perfect peace will be in you. Have the
peace Isaiah spoke about in Isaiah 26:3, “You (God) will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (NLT)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 [ESV])
Lord, please forgive me for getting panicked about my
life during this pandemic. Please give me Your peace. Use me for Your purposes
during this time so other people receive help and know You love them. Keep me
safe in Your faithful hands as I give myself to You and show my love to You by
obeying Your compulsion to serve others. Help me keep my mind centered on You
and not the trials surrounding me in the world today. Thank you, Lord, for Your
love and faithfulness. Amen.
