The things we do for love, especially the love we believers know
By Dean Collins
Love might cause you to do crazy things. I suspect many of my readers could tell a story of something unconventional they did because they were “madly” in love with the one who had stolen their heart.
Early infatuation can sometimes lead to real love, but those crazy feelings won’t carry you through a marriage. As we mature by facing real challenges in life with a friend or a spouse, our love grows in a way that truly wants the best for the other person. We learn the joy of making sacrifices for another. We realize that love is not simply a feeling but more a decision we make each day to invest in, care for, and encourage another. And yes, feelings do grow, but true love really is laying down one’s life for another.
Why we do what we do
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul gives us his, and our, motivation for the things we do for love. Paul states that “if we are in our right mind, it is for you,” that is, for others. Paul is driven not by feelings but by the love of God. He says he is controlled by love. Some translations say “compelled” by love. Paul’s investment in the Corinthians even when some questioned his spiritual authority, his commitment, and his authenticity as an apostle was because he understood and had experienced Christ’s love.
Paul decided that since Christ died for all and rose from the grave, those who follow Jesus and are therefore ambassadors of God’s love no longer live to please self. We no longer live just to discover our happiness and pleasure. We now live not to please the flesh or self. We live to spread the love of Christ far and wide.
We live to spread the love of Christ far and wide.
Once we experience the overwhelming love of God expressed in the gift of his Son, Jesus, our transformation changes our ambitions. As ambassadors of Christ, we see the world through the eyes of Jesus. When we see another person, we see who they are from God’s perspective and not from the world’s. God’s love is broad and deep and extends to all people. In Christ we understand that just as God forgave us and changed the way we think and act, he offers forgiveness and transformation for all people.
Paul was driven by understanding the awesomeness of God and the love of Christ. Paul put his old ways aside and was driven now not by law but rather by love. Paul’s freedom in Christ compelled him to share God’s love with others.
How and what we do
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and in his letter to the Romans, he explained that each of us is given gifts and abilities that differ. Yet in Christ, we use these gifts and abilities not simply in our careers or to make a living. We use all that we are given as ambassadors for our King, Jesus. Paul calls us to understand that our vocation in Christ is first and foremost to share the love of Christ. And ambassadors are not just about words; we are to live in such a way that the world sees the truth about Jesus through what we do and how we love, not simply by the words we say.
The things we do for love? Feeding the hungry. Caring for the sick. Treating all people with respect and dignity. Working toward justice and mercy for all. Helping the homeless and the poor. Caring for the earth. These are the things the love of Christ compels us to do.
Lord, we confess how easily we fall back into familiar patterns of doing what we want and forgetting the needs of others. Thank you for the challenges and corrections we find in your Word, helping us see how your love compels us to love in ways deeper and more visible to those around us. Thank you for forgiving us of our sins and making us new in Christ. Use us today to share your love with another that they too might discover the joy of being fully loved by you, filled with your Spirit, and walking as your ambassador to others. In Jesus name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 5:11-21 ESV
