“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge,
that if one died for all, then were all dead.”
(2 Corinthians 5:14)
The love of Christ has a wonderfully powerful effect on the soul. In fact, in this passage Paul says that it “constrains” us, meaning that it compels us to live for Christ because it has the power to change how we think, how we live, and what we love.
The Apostle explains why the love of Christ has this effect: “because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.” Christ’s death shows both the condition of man and the strength of His love—the condition of man because if Christ had to die, then man must have been dead in sin and unable to save himself; the strength of His love because He willingly died for sinners who could not save themselves.
When a person truly understands that Christ died for helpless, spiritually dead sinners, it produces love in the heart toward the source of that love, constraining him to live for Christ.
We will do many things out of love that we would never do out of fear because love makes difficult things easier. Love makes a person willing to sacrifice, to serve, to forgive, and to endure hardship. When we truly love someone, we desire to please that person and are willing to suffer for that person.
This is why love is so important in the Christian life. Love for Christ produces obedience, service, kindness to others, and perseverance in difficulty. A person who loves Christ wants to obey Him, to serve Him, and to live in a way that pleases Him.[1]
Love seeks the good of others, not only its own good. Love is patient, kind, and willing to forgive. Love does not easily become bitter or revengeful. Love desires to do good. This is why love is the sum of the commandments, because if a person truly loves God and loves others, he will, by default, do what is right.
Love also gives strength to the soul. A person who is motivated only by duty may grow tired, but one motivated by love continues on. Love makes a person active, willing, and courageous, willing to try difficult things and endure hard things because he loves Christ.
This is why the Apostle says the love of Christ constrains us. Christ loved His people and gave Himself for them, and as a result His people love Him and desire to live for Him. The more we understand His love for us, the more we will love Him. And the more we love Him, the more we will desire to obey Him, serve Him, and live for His glory.
Contemplations:
- The Love of Christ Shown in His Death. Lord, when I consider that Christ died for sinners, I see both my sin and His love. I see that I was spiritually dead and could not save myself, and that Christ willingly gave Himself to save me. Help me think often about the death of Christ, because it shows me how great His love is, great enough to move my heart and change my life.
- Love That Constrains My Life. Father, Your Word says that the love of Christ constrains us. I confess that I am often more constrained by fear, habit, or the opinions of others than by love for Christ. I ask that You increase my love for Christ so that I live for Him because I love Him. Let love be the great motivation of my life.
- Love That Seeks the Good of Others. Lord, love does not only think about itself; it seeks the good of others. I confess that I often think too much about myself and too little about others. Teach me to love others as Christ loved me. Help me be patient, kind, forgiving, and willing to help others. Let the love of Christ in my heart show itself in how I treat other people.
- Love That Gives Strength and Courage. Father, love gives strength to the soul. When a person loves Christ, he is willing to endure hardship, obey difficult commands, and continue even when life is hard. Let my love for Christ make me faithful, steady, and willing to do whatever pleases Him.
Prayer (Adoration)
Lord God, I praise You for the great love shown in Jesus Christ. I praise You that when we were dead in sins, Christ died for sinners. I praise You that His death shows both Your justice and Your love, Your holiness and Your mercy.
I praise You for the love of Christ, that He was willing to leave glory, to live in this world, to suffer, and to die for sinners. I praise You that His love was not only in words, but in actions. He loved His people and gave Himself for them.
I praise You that this love is powerful and life-changing. The love of Christ changes hearts. It changes lives because it changes what we desire. It takes people who lived for themselves and teaches them to live for Christ. It takes those who loved sin and teaches them to love holiness. It takes people who were weak and gives them strength to follow Christ.
Love is the sum of the commandments, the soul of obedience, and the great grace that You work in the hearts of Your people. I praise You that You are a God who shows love, teaches love, and commands us to love.
I praise You that the love of Christ is stronger than sin, stronger than the world, and stronger than death, and that nothing can separate Your people from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References for 2 Cor. 5:14:
Rom. 5:15; Col. 3:3; Acts 18:5; Gal. 2:20
[1] Henry Killigrew, Sermons, Preached Partly before His Majesty, (London: J.M. for R. Royston .., 1685), 382-384.
