2 Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIV)
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Reflection:
Hudson Taylor was a missionary and director of the China Inland Mission in the 19th century. He was often asked to interview potential candidates for the mission field. As he asked the applicants why they wish to go as a foreign missionary some of their replies were,” I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” and another, “I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ.” Then Hudson Taylor said, “All of these motives, however good, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing; namely, the love of Christ.”
Everything is from God – reconciliation with God, our new lives, the message and ministry He has called us to. We are indeed called to bring His forgiveness to others so that they may also be reconciled to God through Christ and also receive His call to be His ambassadors; but we are to do this first and foremost by Christ’s love which compels us. May Christ’s love richly fill and compel us.
Responding to the message:
Let us spend time reflecting on how God has saved us and loved us. Lift up a prayer that Christ’s love will fill and compel us to reach out to those who need to experience God’s forgiveness and grace.
