Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sharing the Love! 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
What compels us to love Christ? In 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, we see that it is Christ's loving, substitutionary death that motivated Paul. So, if that motivated Paul it should motivate us as well. As I look at the church today our motivation is gone. We are no longer moved to share the love of Christ. We are not compelled to share the love of Christ with anyone. We keep it to ourselves which is unbiblical to the core. We are now living for ourselves and not for Christ. Christ love should compel us to love others and by truly loving others we should be willing to share the gospel with them. The love of Christ should be our motivating factor.
Christ love should change the way we see others as well. The world looks at the outward appearance of men and women, but God looks at the heart. In verse 16, Paul says that we are to regard no one from a worldly point of view. Teenagers and adults alike look and judge by our outer appearance and because of that we are guilty of judging by the worlds standards. But we are a new creation in Christ and we are to look at people as Christ does and that is to look inward at the beauty of the heart. Christ died for all of us and we are to love all even if they do not want to be loved.
Finally, Christ love leads us to tell others about God's love for them. In verses 18 - 21, Paul tells us that we are reconciled to God through Christ. We do not have the ability on our own to be reconciled to God. It is only through Christ that we can be saved. Christ love for us commands us to share that love with others. We are not to be ashamed of the gospel, but we are to present the gospel with boldness and love. Paul understood his role as an ambassador for Christ and we must do the same. My desire is for the church and myself to become more bold with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Take time today and share your faith with others. May God Bless you.
Pastor John
Christ love should change the way we see others as well. The world looks at the outward appearance of men and women, but God looks at the heart. In verse 16, Paul says that we are to regard no one from a worldly point of view. Teenagers and adults alike look and judge by our outer appearance and because of that we are guilty of judging by the worlds standards. But we are a new creation in Christ and we are to look at people as Christ does and that is to look inward at the beauty of the heart. Christ died for all of us and we are to love all even if they do not want to be loved.
Finally, Christ love leads us to tell others about God's love for them. In verses 18 - 21, Paul tells us that we are reconciled to God through Christ. We do not have the ability on our own to be reconciled to God. It is only through Christ that we can be saved. Christ love for us commands us to share that love with others. We are not to be ashamed of the gospel, but we are to present the gospel with boldness and love. Paul understood his role as an ambassador for Christ and we must do the same. My desire is for the church and myself to become more bold with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Take time today and share your faith with others. May God Bless you.
Pastor John
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Religion and Theology.
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About Me
- jstrewh2
- I am the Youth and Associate Pastor at FBC Church Hill. I am married to a wonderful woman. In May of 2008, I received my Master of Divinity Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
1 comments:
Well said John! We should guard our actions toward others as well. A kind word and touch in the name of Jesus can make a huge difference in someone's day.
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