Why are we, as Christians, held so tightly by the love of Christ? What drives us to want to please Him with every aspect of our lives?
To understand this, let’s first dive into what it means to be “constrained.” According to the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, to be constrained means to be compelled or driven to a course of action, as if by a force or an undeniable power.
In the context of Christ’s love, this compulsion is not a form of bondage but a powerful motivator that guides us to live in a way that honors God.
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, highlights four reasons we are constrained by Christ’s love:
1. We are constrained by Christ’s love because of life
“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Through Christ’s death, we find life—a concept that seems like a paradox. A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself but still holds a truth. Jesus used the parable of the seed that must die to come to life again (John 12:24) to explain this. Just as a seed must be buried to sprout anew, Christ’s death brought us the opportunity for eternal life.
2. We are constrained by Christ’s love because of Newness of Life
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature : old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
The good news doesn’t stop with just finding life; it extends to experiencing a newness of life. This isn’t a simple makeover; it’s a deep, transformative change. When we come to Christ, our old selves—our past sins, mistakes, and failures—are gone. What replaces them is a fresh start, a new beginning where every aspect of our being is renewed. Our thoughts, feelings, and actions align more closely with those of Christ, giving us a fresh perspective on life and our purpose in it.
3. We are constrained by Christ’s love because of His reconciliation
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Reconciliation is the act of causing two parties at odds to become amicable again.
Through Christ, God has not only reconciled us to Himself but has also entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation. This means we have the privilege and responsibility to help restore the relationship between God and others.
As ambassadors for Christ, we represent Him and His message of forgiveness and reconciliation to the world. Our lives and words are tools through which others can come to know the peace of being reconciled with God.
4. We are constrained by Christ’s love because of His righteousness
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21
This is perhaps the most profound aspect of Christ’s love for us. Christ, who was sinless, took upon Himself our sins so that we could be seen as righteous before God. This divine exchange means that when God looks at us, He doesn’t see our faults and failures; He sees the righteousness of Christ.
This gift of righteousness is not something we could ever earn on our own; it’s given freely to us through faith in Jesus Christ. Because of His love, we are not just cleaned up versions of our old selves; we are completely new creations, seen as perfect in God’s eyes.
This righteousness empowers us to live lives that reflect the goodness and love of God. It’s not just about avoiding wrongdoing; it’s about actively pursuing a life that mirrors the character of Christ. As we grow in understanding and experiencing the righteousness of Christ, our lives naturally become a testament to the transformative power of His love.
In summary, the love of Christ constrains us by offering us life, newness of life, reconciliation with God, and the gift of righteousness.
As we continue to grasp the depth of Christ’s love for us, our response is to live not for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose again. This is the heart of being constrained by Christ’s love—it’s a life lived in gratitude, service, and devotion to the One who loved us first and loves us still.
