[14] for the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] 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]
“the Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because he loves us.”– C. S. Lewis
the thought of God’s love “controlling” us often leaves us with a wrong image of a puppet master or maniacal manipulative abuser. the truth is – God’s love does control us. but, his control is not to hurt, or to manipulate us in an abusive way. his love, the power of his love changes us. it changes us from evil to holy, from people against God to people who are for him. (ephesians 2:1-7, read it. it is powerful!)
so, to be controlled by the love of God is all about being changed. how? galatians 5:22-23 gives us a short (not exhaustive) list of the changes that come in us that begin to “control” us in a whole new way.
the love of God changes us …
from selfish, to self-less,
from bitter to joy-full,
from discontent to peace-full,
from angry to patient,
from hostile to kind,
from bad to good,
from faithless to faith-full,
from harsh to gentle,
from rash to self-controlled.
and all these things are ours in Christ Jesus because in love, he gave up his life for us, so we could be changed. so, we could become like he who we were created to reflect.
today, be reminded: God doesn’t love you because you are good. God just loves you! and his love, makes you good. the implications, the applications of this gospel truth are many. ask God to reveal a few today as you pray. ask God to empower you to live in them, to be controlled by his love. ask God to believe you are loved in a way that will forever change you!
~ john ryan