II 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 those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.” NASB

OBSERVATION: What is the greatest power in the world? What is the most misunderstood power in the world? What is the most incorrectly defined power in the world? What is the only power that can transform our lives?

It is the POWER OF LOVE!

Love in the Bible is not an abstract term. It is not an emotion that we are all to ascribe to. It is not something we possess but rather something that reaches out to rescue and protect us. The world cries out – “Love is love!” The Bible replies – “Love is God giving His only begotten Son to die in our place!”

Love is not just love.

Love is Jesus!

Paul understands all that we are called to be, become, and ultimately attain, wrapped up in the love of Jesus Christ. This is why he proclaims – “For the love of Christ controls us…”. Preceding this statement Paul exhorted the Corinthians,

• “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 NASB

How are we to live a life that is pleasing to God? How are we to live a life that will not be ashamed when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ? We have two choices before us. We can strive within our own strength to be godly and obey Christ’s commands or we can be –

TRANSFORMED…BY LOVE!

I used to have a 26-foot sailboat when I lived in California. My adventures on this boat, sailing in the Pacific Ocean, are some of my fondest memories. They also were some of the most important teaching times I have had in my life. Sailing a large boat on the open ocean will teach you one important lesson.

If you want to get anywhere – you need a power greater than you possess!

So many people think that the wind pushes a sailboat. This is not the case. Sailing a boat is the same principle as flying an airplane. When the boat is positioned correctly to catch the wind in its sails the wind lifts the boat and pulls it forward. As you steer the boat you are really doing nothing more than keeping the boat in the wind. The wind is the power that is doing everything.

Such it is with the love of Christ. We have no power to save ourselves and we have no power to live a life pleasing to God. The only power that can change our lives is the love of Jesus Christ. We are sailing through life and we have a choice. We can try to paddle this heavy boat in the middle of the ocean to our destination – or we can position it in the wind of God’s love through Jesus Christ our Lord!

I think I will choose the love of Christ!

Paul goes on to clarify his statement – “For the love of Christ controls us…”. It is not that Jesus takes over our lives and we are mere puppets who move involuntarily at His control. Rather, like the sailboat, the love of Christ lifts us from our human limitations and weakness so that we can live a life pleasing to God!

• “…Having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.”

• “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NASB

God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place. Christ loved us so much that He willingly laid down His life for us on the cross. Jesus became sin in our place so that we might become the righteousness of God through Him. It was God’s love that initiated the process and Christ’s love that completed the process. And, it is only through His love that we can enter into His life and be transformed into His image.

He died for me, His love was declared for me so that I would no longer be left sailing in the ocean without a sail. My sail is His righteousness and the transforming power in my life is His love. I am saved by His love, daily transformed by His love, and I will be completed in His love. If I try to stand in anything else I will utterly fail. Yet, if I position my life in the wind of His grace –

I will be TRANSFORMED and LIFTED by His love!

Lord, this morning, let Your love control me, lift me, transform me, and empower me. Let me live no longer for myself – but for You. Let Your love lift me from my own limitations and empower me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Let me be…

TRANSFORMED…BY YOUR LOVE!

In Jesus’ Name!