Constrained by the Love of Christ
Notes
Transcript
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: 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.
The love of Christ controls us… (ESV).
The love of Christ urges us on… (NRSV).
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 37.17 ὑπερέχω; συνέχω; κατέχω
to exercise continuous control over someone or something—‘to control, to restrain.
Paul said he had no choice but to do the work he did, because the love of Christ left him no other choice.
Pay close attention to the words “know” and “confident.”
We know - our life here is temporary ().
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
We know - our desire is for a heavenly home ().
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
We know - our aim (goal) is to be pleasing to God ().
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
We know - the judgment of God ().
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
We know - that we are well known to God ().
Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
We know - that all are in need of salvation ().
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: 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.
We know - we are made new in Christ ().
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
We know - we are saved through the ministry of reconciliation ().
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.