The Love of Christ that Constrains us
Mac emphasizes the importance of being in the presence of the Lord and focusing on His Word. He reflects on Paul's testimony in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, highlighting how the love of Christ constrained Paul to live for Him rather than for himself. Mac urges us to allow the love of Christ to capture their hearts, as it is a secure and unfailing love that enables them to live for the Lord. He contrasts self-love with the selfless love of Christ, which prioritizes others above oneself. Mac encourages believers to recognize that the love of Christ is not just a concept but a person, whose nature and character are foundational to their faith. He shares personal anecdotes and scriptural references to illustrate the sufficiency and security found in Christ's love, emphasizing that nothing can separate them from it. Ultimately, Mac calls for a deeper understanding and experience of the love of Christ, urging believers to let it govern their lives and lead them on the path of righteousness.
Outline of Main Points
Worship and focus on the Lord's presence
Paul's testimony of living for Christ
The nature of Christ's love as secure and unfailing
Contrast between self-love and Christ's selfless love
Christ's love as a person, not just a concept
Scriptural references to the sufficiency and security of Christ's love
Call for deeper understanding and experience of Christ's love
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
