- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
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- 17,522
9 July 2008
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 5:11-15
Since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to help people accept the truth about us. God knows what we really are, and I hope that in your hearts you know, too. We are not trying to prove ourselves to you again, but we are telling you about ourselves so you will be proud of us. Then you will have an answer for those who are proud about things that can be seen rather than what is in the heart. If we are out of our minds, it is for God. If we have our right minds, it is for you. The love of Christ controls us, because we know that One died for all, so all have died. Christ died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from the dead so that they would live for him.
Paul was controlled in all that he did by the love of Christ. He was ambushed by the love of Christ on the Damascus Road. Now it is the heartbeat of his message.
The cross was where Christ's love was so wonderfully obvious. This pivotal point in history meant that things could never be the same. An encounter with Jesus also changes us and we are longer the same. How can I live for him today? This is a question not to be asked grudgingly as if we were doing God a favour but with no holds barred as a response to his love.
A driver in charge of a bus was coming down a steep hill and the brakes failed. He had a moment to decide what to do. Did he carry on the road knowing that he wouldn't make it round the corner and they would crash or did he swerve to his left through the woods? He decided to go through the woods even though he knew he would run over a boy playing. As he came to a stop the passengers were shaken but cheering. The bus driver simply sat and wept; for though he saved the people the little boy was his own son.
How can we not be controlled by a love like that?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
Issac Watts (a slave trader who found the love of God)
Take some time to thank God for his love
Written by Mike Gilbert
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 5:11-15
Since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to help people accept the truth about us. God knows what we really are, and I hope that in your hearts you know, too. We are not trying to prove ourselves to you again, but we are telling you about ourselves so you will be proud of us. Then you will have an answer for those who are proud about things that can be seen rather than what is in the heart. If we are out of our minds, it is for God. If we have our right minds, it is for you. The love of Christ controls us, because we know that One died for all, so all have died. Christ died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from the dead so that they would live for him.
Paul was controlled in all that he did by the love of Christ. He was ambushed by the love of Christ on the Damascus Road. Now it is the heartbeat of his message.
The cross was where Christ's love was so wonderfully obvious. This pivotal point in history meant that things could never be the same. An encounter with Jesus also changes us and we are longer the same. How can I live for him today? This is a question not to be asked grudgingly as if we were doing God a favour but with no holds barred as a response to his love.
A driver in charge of a bus was coming down a steep hill and the brakes failed. He had a moment to decide what to do. Did he carry on the road knowing that he wouldn't make it round the corner and they would crash or did he swerve to his left through the woods? He decided to go through the woods even though he knew he would run over a boy playing. As he came to a stop the passengers were shaken but cheering. The bus driver simply sat and wept; for though he saved the people the little boy was his own son.
How can we not be controlled by a love like that?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
Issac Watts (a slave trader who found the love of God)
Take some time to thank God for his love
Written by Mike Gilbert
