For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all…
2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV
Why do you serve Christ? Yesterday we examined why Jesus would ever tell the disciples not to tell someone He was the Christ. We saw it was out of a concern that people accept Him out of choice whether than out of a sense of persuasion. Today, Paul helps us continue that thought process.
Paul contends that Christ’s love “compels us”. When I search for a definition of the word compel I find that it means to exert a strong, irresistible force. Christ’s love is a force that draws us into Him. The reason we serve Christ, therefore, is because of His love.
I look around the church today and I see a small group of people doing most of the work of the church. Some of those people seem to enjoy their work. Others, however, appear to serve out of a sense of obligation or grudgery. I’ve never seen the list, but it is almost as if someone is keeping track of how many things we can do in the church. While all these are good activities, Scripture says there is something for all of us to do. If every Christian were fulfilling his own role, we probably wouldn’t have so many burnt out Christians.
What’s the solution? I think we must begin to understand the origin of service. Service should not be a burden. It should be a privilege. We should serve not out of a sense of obligation, but out of the love we have in our heart for Christ. If we put this discussion into the context of the family, we don’t serve in our homes just because we have to (maybe sometimes), but instead we serve our loved ones because they are just that: loved ones. We love them and therefore we serve them.
Should our relationship with Christ be any less that that?
For more of my thoughts, check out my personal blog at
http://www.ronedmondson.com where I write on issues such as marriage, parenting, church and leadership.
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Mustard Seed Ministry is reaching around the world with Biblical truths. The ministry is designed to spur the Christian from the smallest amount of faith, onto spiritual growth and maturity. This ministry goes places the church cannot enter. If you would like to support the work of this ministry, send contributions to Mustard Seed Ministry, PO Box 3698, Clarksville, TN 37043, or through Pay Pal (www.paypal.com) to
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I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. 
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