Subscription Lists
Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Attacks are never pleasant! Paul was under attack and today's message takes a look at some of the dynamics of that attack and how he responded to it as well as how he counseled those who might be collaterally damaged by it. Consider carefully the following quote.
“For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5.12-15; all emphasis mine both above and below, jb).
Some of the attacks on Paul were vicious personal attacks. Some were of a doctrinal nature and targeted the substance of his teaching. For those that were personal, Paul seemed to care the least. In fact, he just kind of stepped back from them ans told others to handle it! That, in effect is what he did in the matter of the personal attacks made by the Judaisers in Corinth. However, in a jab at his attacker's character, he implied that their braggadocios ways were all about externals and not about matters of the heart! The Corinthians could handle such matters and Paul allowed them to do so.
Some were saying that Paul was “beside himself.” The same charges had been levied against Jesus, saying, “He is out of His mind.” (Mark 3.21). To paraphrase Paul's response, he simply said, “Whether it is true or false, it is a good thing; if mad it is for God and if sane it is for you; either way good comes from it!”
Then comes the phase upon which we focus our attention; the statement that “The love of Christ compels us.” I would suggest that there is more to this statement than meets the eye. Under such stress, it would have been easy to simply “fall apart” and cave in to the pressures. It is this human tendency that Paul addresses in this statement. It is like he said, “ It is the love of Christ which holds us together and keeps us going!” All of Paul's strength, all of his purpose was wrapped up in this one motivating factor, namely, the love of Christ. Paul's decision was not a light decision to turn his back on his family and friends and to embrace Christ and His teachings. Paul had judged consciously and he kept on judging that the death of Christ for all men was adequate reason to do what he was doing. As long as the facts of the case stood, i.e. Christ died for all, then just that long Paul's actions would be justified!
Regardless of who or what we are, when times of extreme stress confront us, something “keeps us going.” For some it is money, or prestige, or power; for others it is family, or land, or even fear. For Paul, it was the “love of Christ.” I would suggest that this visceral force, this “gut force” in all of us defines who we truly are! When everything else has failed and when there is no help on the horizon, to what do we turn and in whom or what do we trust? This is the true meaning of faith; faith is not about nice platitudes or one time statements of belief; it is about a life of commitment and motivation. For Paul that life of commitment was Jesus Christ; that is what kept him going. That same conviction [faith] is the mandate of all who would please God and be eternally blessed.
Does “...the love of Christ compel” you? If one really listens to His story with the heart, how can it not? No human being ever loved like He did and does! If we embrace Him for who He is, He will embrace us for who we can be! That is the compelling reality of the love of Christ!
Questions:
1. What motives were behind those who attacked Paul?
2. Was Paul “mad” when it came to faith? Might others think so? What about Jesus (Mark 3.21)?
3. What is faith? Is it a one time confession or a lifetime profession?
4. Is it true that Jesus embraces us for who we can be? Why or why not?
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Today's Little Lift" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.