“The love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor. 5:14).
Every true believer has experienced the love of God, for it was the love of God that sent His Son into this world to die for us. He had compassion on us when we were not only sinners, but lost sinners, and it was His love that found a way by which we could be brought back to Him. We might call this the compassionate love of God. But in the verse at the head of this article, we read of another effect of love — the love of Christ — it constrains us. In the sense in which the word is used here, it has the meaning of compelling or forcing one to a particular course of action. It is the practical side of the love of God; it is the effect it has on those who have experienced it. The word “constrain” is a stronger word than the expression “to make willing.” It is the same root word as is translated “compel” in Luke 14:2323And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14:23), where the servant was to compel those out in the highways and hedges to come to the great supper. It is doing something of necessity.
The Love of Christ
In keeping with the context, it is the love of Christ that is spoken of, not the love of God. When the name of God is connected with something, the thought is usually nature and/or power. When the name of Christ is brought in, the practical effect is usually in view. (Thus we have the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ, the power of God and the power of Christ, and the grace of God and the grace of Christ.) When the love of Christ is felt in our souls, there is a constraining power connected with it.
There are several things to be noticed in connection with this love. Scripture does not say that the love of Christ should constrain us or can constrain us; it simply makes the statement that it does constrain us. When we believe, we receive a new life in Christ, and this new life is characterized by love — the love of God. Before that, we could not even love as God loves, for “love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1 John 4:77There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (John 4:7)). The enjoyment of that love will have its effect on each one of us, just as natural love, between two people, compels them to act in certain ways.
Of course, we can get away from the Lord, and then we will not feel the effect of that love, although His love towards us never changes. But just as iron filings will not respond to a magnet if they are too far away from it, so we will not feel the effect of the love of Christ if we live at a distance from Him. It is the believer that lives close to his Saviour who enjoys His love and feels its constraining power in his life.
The Effects
This constraining power of the love of Christ has several effects on us. First of all, it tells us that “He died for all” (2 Cor. 5:15). His love did not discriminate, for the love of God reaches out to every individual in this world. All may come to feel the effect of that love and to enjoy the free salvation that God, in His love, wants to give. Second, it tells us that if “one died for all, then were all dead” (2 Cor. 5:14). We sometimes do not realize the full implications of our lost condition, but here we are reminded that we were not only lost, but dead towards God. Ephesians 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1) also tells us that before we were saved, we “were dead in trespasses and sins.” One who is dead can do nothing for himself; he is totally dependent on another, if he is to be given life. Third, as a result of such love, we are compelled to live, not to ourselves, but to Him who died for us. His love demands that kind of response. Fourth, we are reminded that Christ not only died, but rose again. His resurrection assures us of our resurrection and also gives us the power to live for His glory down here, for the power comes from a risen Christ in glory. Truly, as the hymn says, “Love that transcends our highest powers, demands our soul, our life, our all.”
True Love
True love in our own hearts will not only give us to live for the glory of Christ, but it will also have an effect on others. In 1 Corinthians 13, we are reminded that speaking in tongues, understanding all mysteries, and having all knowledge are nothing if we do not have love. Even the world understands this, although they do not have new life in Christ, and thus do not have divine love operating in their own souls. A salesman once remarked to me, “People will not buy something from you if they do not like you, no matter how good your product may be.” On the positive side, it has been well said that “what comes from the heart goes to the heart.” Even children can quickly sense whether we love them and will warm up to us or shun us according to their perception of us.
The Activity of Love
As believers, we need to remember this in our interaction with others, whether in the world or among other believers. If we bring the gospel before souls, they must feel the love in our hearts for them, as well as hearing the facts of the gospel. Our own attitude toward them should reflect God’s character in every way. This does not mean that all will respond to the gospel, for our blessed Master surely manifested God’s character in perfection, yet was rejected by many. But we can either commend or detract from the gospel by our attitude and spirit.
Showing this love toward our brethren is important too, for souls will much more readily warm up to one whose heart is full of love. Also, if correction is needed, the reaction will be much better if love is clearly there, rather than simply a harsh rebuke, no matter how well deserved it may be. Our actions too are important, for words are hollow without the actions that should accompany them. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). God’s love was proven by the gift of His Son, and as another has remarked, “If God has not won your heart and mine, what more could He do to win it?” We, as believers, are called to show God’s love by our actions as well as our words. In this way we may “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:1010Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (Titus 2:10)).
W. J. Prost