Motivation that Magnifies the Master - Part Two
“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 (KJV, emphasis mine)
This week, we will continue our discussion on examining the kind of motivation that magnifies the Master (the Lord Jesus Christ). In Paul’s letter to the Corinthian believers, he shared that it was the love of Christ that compelled or motivated him for life and ministry. What I noticed from our text is the enormous statement of the truth (the love of Christ), not my love for Christ. This is significant because our love for Christ often navigates in a sea of fluctuations influenced by our flesh. Often our love for Him is caught in a cloud of carnal conditions. Without the dominate influence of the Holy Spirit we cannot accurate display the devotion that our Lord deserves.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 (KJV, emphasis mine)
Only the Holy Spirit can teach us all things. One of the things that we need to learn how to do is to love God and exercise and experience His love. As God’s regenerated believers we have also experienced the love of God in that we enjoy the forever forgiveness of sin and His grace for salvation.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” Ephesians 2:4-5 (KJV)
So again, it is divine love that motivates us to take action, which in turn elevates His agenda and will for our lives. His love for us eliminates our earthly and sensual agendas that, according to the Scriptures, are energized with deceitful and corrupt lust.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” Ephesians 4:22 (KJV)
Consider this metaphor for the purpose of capturing the point behind Paul’s motivation. Picture a mammoth-sized magnet made of majestic mercy which powerfully pulls us and exerts its enormous influence on you. The love of the Lord Jesus is the magnet and we are the paper clip that purposes to stay close.
To assist in wrapping our hearts and minds around this extraordinary truth, I would like you to consider the following statement.
The love of Christ exhibited on the cross is characterized by the following words: Character, Cost, Control, Capacity, Conviction, Commitment and Changed.
Allow these statements to cement you in truth with respect to the love of Christ that was exhibited on the cross. Christ’s love is perfectly incomparable in itscharacter and cost. (It cost God His Son and the Son His life) It cancelled out the control of Satan and sin. Its capacity is limitless. It convicts us that we are criminals and Christ was charged and sentenced with our conviction of death. Christ’s love is alwayscommitted and faithful to the Father’s will no matter the cost. Finally, it changed our position from eternal death to eternal life!
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2 (KJV)
These seven words communicate how the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ captures a complete love that should motivate us to serve the Lord and live separate from those that serve themselves and the world. Are you motivated by the Master’s love? Will you immediately take action to address the issue in your life that He has called you to address? Make a decision to submit to His will today so that you can magnify the Master in your life!
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR