For the love of Christ controls us

By Charles H. Spurgeon

From his Morning by Morning devotionals

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

2 Corinthians 5:14 — English Standard Version

For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If one died for all, then all died.

2 Corinthians 5:14 — Christian Standard Version

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 — King James Version

How much do we owe to my Lord? Has He ever done anything for you? Has He forgiven your sins? Has He covered you with a robe of righteousness? Has He set your feet upon a rock? Has He established your goings? Has He prepared heaven for you? Has He prepared you for heaven?  Has He written your name in His Book of Life? Has He given you countless blessings? Has He laid up for you a store of mercies, which eye has not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Jesus that is worthy of His love.

Do not give a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes if you have to confess that you did nothing for Him but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, neither flowing out to the poor nor to His work? Be done with that kind of love! What do men think of a love that never shows itself in action? Why, they say, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” (1)

Who will accept a love so weak that it does not stir you to a single act of self-denial, generosity, heroism, or zeal? Consider how He has loved you and given Himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing, mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness and clear away the mists of sin. For Christ’s sake let this be the tongue of fire that sits upon you: For Christ’s sake let this be the divine excitement, the heavenly empowerment to bear you up from earth, the divine spirit that will make you bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord’s service.

Love should give wings to the feet of service and strength to the arms of industry. Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, determined to honor Him with a zeal that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with a passion that doesn’t waver, let us display the constraints of love for Jesus. May the divine magnet draw us toward heaven itself.

(1) Proverbs 27:5 — Open rebuke is better than secret love.

King James Version

Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

2 Corinthians 2:8 — King James Version

So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

2 Corinthians 2:8 — English Standard Version