176. 2CO 5:14. CHRIST’S CONSTRAINING LOVE

2Co_5:14. Christ’s Constraining Love

"The love of Christ constraineth us."’972Co_5:14

The love of Christ is a subject which has a prominent place in the pages of revelation. It is the very essence and glory of the gospel. It is of universal interest, and both heaven and earth are deeply concerned in it. It is a subject of boundless magnitude and of eternal importance. The apostle Paul felt it, preached it, gloried in it, and set his seal to its preciousness by the shedding of his blood. Let us then dwell a little, I. On the Love of Christ, and II. Its Constraining Influence.

I. The Love of Christ.

The love of Chris passeth knowledge. We cannot know it in its sublime heights’97in its profound depths’97in its immense breadth’97or in its eternal length. But we may know something of it. We may know enough to give us peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. We may know enough to cause us to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. Consider, then,

1. The person referred to.

"Christ." Not an inferior. Not a mere equal. Not a created superior, angel, or seraph. But the dignified and uncreated Lord of hosts, Jehovah’s fellow and equal. The great and glorious Fountain of existence and happiness. The Lord of angels. The God of the universe. "Both Lord and Christ." "God manifest in the flesh."

2. The antiquity of this love.

We are surrounded with its present evidences, in the word, ministry, ordinances, &c. Paul felt and expressed the sentiments of the text, eighteen hundred years ago’97Isaiah’97David’97Moses and Abraham’97first promise’97yea, before the foundations of the world were laid, &c. "He rejoiced in the habitable parts of the earth, and his delights were with the sons of men;" Pro_8:22. Consider this love,

3. In its objects.

Surely they were dignified, holy, grateful. So far from this, they were earthly, sensual, devilish, dark, polluted, rebellious, haters of good and of God. Without one favorable trait, without claim, without merit, and without any desire for God.

4. In its sacrifices.

What did it cost? Behold the Saviour laying aside his crown’97his robe’97his riches and honors. Leaving his Father’s bosom. Assuming human nature. Living’97sorrowing’97suffering in name, in body, in spirit, in soul. Especially agonizing in he garden. Dying on the cross, &c. heaven for a time sacrificed, with all its joy, light, and glory, and all as the evidences of his love to our perishing world Consider Christ’s love,

5. In its effects.

In preventing the universal infliction of the curse. Redeeming the world from eternal wrath and ruin. In procuring reconciliation’97pardon’97happiness, and salvation to man. Opening a way to the celestial abodes of light and bliss in the presence of God forever; in one word, obtaining for us eternal life.

6. In its extent.

Embracing the whole world. And reach ing from the first to the last of the human family. Joh_3:14-17; 1 John 2 :., 1Jn_5:14. Notice,

II. Its Constraining Influence.

"The love of Christ constraineth us." The word rendered constrain, signifies to press down, to carry captive, to bear away to transport, to impel us onward. This love constrains,

1. To a cordial reception of Christ and his gospel.

Slays the enmity, &c. Softens the heart. Overcomes its opposition. Opens it. Subdues it to Christ’s authority, &c. Christ received and loved as the chief among ten thousand, &c. It constrains,

2. To a public profession of him before men.

Christ’s name received. Attachment declared. Union with him avowed. All given up, and freely yielded to God.

3. To cheerful self-denial for his sake.

Christ professed at any risk, at any expense, at any sacrifice. Cross borne. Persecution endured. Glory in tribulation Cheerfully suffer with Christ. Give up all for him. Friends, liberty, and even life itself. The love of Christ constrains,

4. To fervent and devoted attachment to his people.

Indeed Christ’s love will constrain us to love all men. But especially his disciples This is the true sign, the unchangeable badge. If we dwell in Christ, we dwell in love. "By this shall all men know," &c. "If we love not our brother," &c.

5. To unwearied obedience, and exertion in his cause.

"This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." If we love him, we shall devise and labor to extend his kingdom, and circulate his fame abroad. Long for the universal diffusion of his glory, and pray for the final triumph of his cross. The love of Christ will constrain us 6. To long for the full enjoyment of his presence and glory forever.

Seek for the complete conformity of our souls to his likeness, and unbroken close fellowship with him forever. "Desire to depart," &c. "To live is Christ," &c.

Desire that better country," &c.

Application

1. Our subject is the grand leading theme of the Christian ministry.

2. It is the only hope of the perishing sinner.

3. The joy and triumph of the sincere reliever.

4. And the song of the redeemed before the throne of God and the Lamb; "Worthy is the Lamb," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS