David Bahn – Reflections

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I’m using the 49 Week Bible Challenge for these blog posts. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. Today’s readings are 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Chronicles 32; Ecclesiastes 1; Isaiah 27.

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

¹⁶ From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This little Greek word – συνέχει – caught me off guard today. I didn’t recall it when I encountered verse 14 of today’s reading. But I did recall a different translation of it. The NIV has compels, while the ESV has controls. I wasn’t ready for controls. I don’t like to think of Christ’s love controlling me. I’d rather think of it as compelling me – moving me forward, causing me to act or respond. But the ESV and others has controls for good reason. You could say that Christ’s love grips us so strongly that it leaves us no other course.

In Paul’s case he is speaking of his compulsion to spread the word about Christ. He is committed to persuading people of the validity of Christ’s ministry. He is dedicated to calling people to faith in Jesus. He is resolute to convincing people of Jesus’ resurrection and the gift of eternal salvation through faith.

I had to think of what controls or compels me. Sometimes I must admit I function out of fear, greed, appetite, or anger. I yearn for applause, admiration, and a satisfied appetite. I suspect that many who read this will have to admit to faltering in these areas as well.

But that’s where the controlling nature of Christ’s love becomes a gift. We are not only sinners; we are saints. The old nature still wages war within us, yet we have been baptized into Christ’s death and raised with him to new life. That’s Christ’s love at work.

His love sought us, saved us, and now takes up residence in us — pressing in, gripping the heart, and moving us toward the life he has already given. It does not coerce; it claims. As his love presses in, it presses out what does not belong to him.

So when Paul says that the love of Christ controls us, he is not placing a weight on our shoulders. He is naming a promise: that Christ’s self-giving love will have the final say in who we are, what we desire, and where our lives are headed.

This is the freedom of the gospel — a life held, guided, and renewed by the One who died and rose, and who will come again to bring love’s work in us to completion.