Today’s Devotional: “The Constraining Love of Christ”

“For the love of Christ constrains us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14a)

Some texts use the word “control,” while others use the word “compel.” As you can see, they are completely different. But let me make this observation. Both are equally correct in our response to Christ’s love for us, which causes us to love Christ.

Now, the definition of constrain can mean to control, which literally means to hold together and to restrain and restrict. In the 3rd century BC, it was used for someone who was obliged to stay somewhere longer than they wanted to. In other words, they were detained.

And so, from this definition, the love of Christ for us controls and restricts our speech and actions, so that we want nothing more than to glorify God in all that we do.

The other definition means to compel, that is, to urge onward, to compel by force, to drive forward, to press on, and even to excite to action.

It is this second definition that fits the grammar Paul used. We see this idea in what Paul said in Romans 1:15-16. “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

And so, why was the Love of Christ constraining him? It was as he concluded this thought, saying, “That if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:14b-15)

What constrains him, and what should constrain us, is the knowledge that Jesus Christ loved us so much that He died the death we deserve, so that we can die to ourselves and live for Him.