Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Embraced by the love of Christ

The love of Christ embraces us, in that we have discerned this, that if one died for all, then all are dead, and he died for all that those who live may no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14,15

Unquestionably, Paul overflowed with love for his Savior, for the One who had died for him. But, when he declares to be embraced by the love of Christ, he means that he has the same love as Christ for men. This love fills his heart.

Perhaps a man would agree to devote himself to people who believe in him. But Christ came for rebels, rebels against God, dead in their trespasses and in their sins. He knew that he would be rejected, rejected, that he would die, crucified, for all of them without distinction of race or culture.

The devil exercises the power of death over those who sin ; he therefore had no power over Jesus who was without sin. On the other hand, all mankind is on the way to perdition, because all men have sinned. Out of love for them, Jesus died. Filled with the same love, Paul seeks to persuade men that Jesus wants to be the savior of everyone who believes. Many, by the grace of God, believed this good news. They are no longer dead, they live spiritually. They have passed from death to life.

Possessing divine life, they truly tasted the infinite love of Christ. This is why they can no longer live as before, that is to say for themselves. They therefore desire to live each day for him who for them died and was resurrected.

Can I say with Paul, from the bottom of my heart : I no longer live, but Christ lives in me ; and what I now live in the flesh, I live in faith, faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me (Galatians 2:20) ?

It is worth thinking about this question.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)