Thursday, February 4, 2010

Gripped by Love

2 Corinthians 5:14a
For the love of Christ constraineth us. KJV
For Christ's love compells us. NIV
For the love of Christ controlls us. NASB

My Utmost for His Highest available on StudyLight.org: "Paul says he is gripped by the love of God, that is why he acts as he does. Men may call him mad or sober, but he does not care; there is only one thing he is living for, and that is to persuade men of the judgment seat of God, and of the love of Christ. This abandon to the love of Christ is the one thing that bears fruit in the life, and it will always leave the impression of the holiness and of the power of God, never of our personal holiness."

The Love of God...who can understand or fathom it? And yet, as we walk with Him, and talk with Him...we progressively experience more, see more, and understand more.The nearer we get to Jesus, the more clear He becomes.

Greater becomes the grip of the love of God on our hearts.
If by the Spirit, we put to death the misdeeds of the body, we will live...The Spirit is the love of God.
To be gripped by His love means everything else ceases. We will cease striving, cease looking at our life to see if we measure up to anything. Our life will be lost in His love. It will cease to exist. It wont be work to offer our bodies as living sacrifices and deny ourselves (Romans 12:1,2); instead it will be our delight, a response to His compelling love.

I have found His love most compelling in His forgiveness. Every time I fall flat on my face, every time I struggle with guilt or condemnation...I make my way back to the cross and see there His passion to restore me, to give me grace, to pick me back up, lift up my head...

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3

Knowing that I am pitiful without Him, and yet He has given me His exceedingly great mercy, I am compelled by His love. Some things have to come with time...the longer I journey with Him here, the more I understand my need for Him, and the more I am gripped by His love.

8 comments:

Rachel Beran said...

So thankful for His love...and the way it changes us. :)

Tracy said...

Great post! My office Bible study group is working through Breaking Free by Beth Moore. We just finished a chapter on God's Unfailing Love. It was my favorite of the whole study so far. Example after example after example of God's unfathomable love for us. So very grateful for and humbled by His grace & love.

washington DC new homes said...

We just finished a chapter on God's Unfailing Love. It was my favorite of the whole study so far. Example after example after example of God's unfathomable love for us. So very grateful for and humbled by His grace & love.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

A grip where I long to remain... in his love! Love Oswald. Love God's Truth even more.

peace~elaine
PS: You're a winner at the blog. Hop over for details as you can.

Julie said...

Hey Kathy,
Thanks for this beautiful post. The relentless love of God has captured my heart....

Thanks also for stopping by my blog. You've blessed me today!!

Paula said...

Beautiful. Thank you.

Aunt Angie said...

Oswald has written mighty great truths. When I think I've read them, I realize my eyes merely skimmed the page--I didn't soak it in. I did that devotion last year, and this year, I find myself going back to it every week. The TRUTH that He shares is unmistakable something I need to soak in. Daily. Along with my Bible reading.

Thank you for sharing this--your words along with his--stirred my soul this morning!

Love you girl!

Tea with Tiffany said...

I've been thinking about this general idea for a few weeks now. Love it that we are on the same page tracking with God. I'm learning to love.

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