claimed

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one 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

Our greatest need is to comprehend how much Jesus loves us.

Like Paul, we are controlled, claimed, and driven by the love of Christ. It is not our love for Christ that controls us, but Christ’s love for us. He died for us so that we would no longer live for ourselves, separated from God the Father, but for Him, fully activated by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

We do not run our lives independently, but responsively. Fueled by the supernatural energy the love of Christ provides. When Christ died, we died with Him, ending our life of unbelief. And when He rose, we rose with Him and now get to participate in resurrection life!

Why is it so hard to believe this?

Perhaps this is what Jesus was speaking to in John 6 when he said “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent”(Jn 6:29). It is a labor to believe. It seems too good to be true. So we allow other motivators to take the wheel: money, comfort, validation. But His love changes everything. Paul didn’t do what he did in his ministry in order to earn Christ’s love, he simply ‘had’ to do what he did ‘because’ of how much he had received.

Therefore, we make it our aim to please Him, in everything that we do. May you comprehend how deep and high and wide the love of Christ is for you. It is the power to overcome. It will teach you to love. It will help you forgive. It will fill you with joy.

May the love of Christ sustain your journey and guard your heart granting you the confidence to bear witness to Christ wherever His grace permits.

In Christ,
Makenzi

additional reading:

Galatians 2:20 / Ephesians 2:1-5 / Romans 5:8 / 1 John 4:9-10

reflect:

Spend time meditating on Christ’s love for you. Notice if there is any resistance. Is it difficult for you to receive His love? Why or why not? What petition does this lead you to set before the Father today? What wrong thoughts come up when you forget this truth?

centering prayer:

Abba, thank you for the astounding love that you have bestowed upon me. Thank you that it is unchanging. Your love never runs out, your love does not waver. Thank you that Your love is the power I need to run this race. amen.