Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":
There are still wonders in our fascinating 2 Corinthians 5.
People think we’re crazy, says Paul, but we’ve discovered the love of Christ that’s different from any love we ever dreamed of: it has power embedded in it that delivers human captives from addictions, from lust, from sin. “The love [agape] of Christ constrains us”(vss. 14, 15).
It’s a “constraint” that is almost impossible for an honest heart to resist: it’s ministered by a grace that is “much more abounding” than all the sin that Satan can invent (see 2 Cor. 5:20, 21); John says that God IS agape, not that agape is just His characteristic—God IS agape (1 John 4:8).
That abounding grace is seen in the agape of Christ; when we “behold” what happened on the cross (that’s the only proper word to describe our looking; cf. John 1:29) we are seeing the agape that IS God; we are pondering the grand dynamo of heaven; opening the doors of the heart invites that grace to enter in.
“Henceforth” is now a key word in this chapter; it comes twice (vss. 15, 16): almost as it were from a decisive point when we “behold” and choose to believe, to appreciate that the Son of God has died our second death, has paid a ransom for our souls that “passes understanding” (Eph. 3:19) we are captives of the love known as agape.
No, we’re not agonizing in our struggle to “overcome,” constantly sighing and crying. Nevertheless, be ready to agonize because not yet is your faith perfect!) but Paul insists that “henceforth” we have crossed a Rubicon River of new life in Christ: “henceforth” they who live are constrained to live not for self, not for themselves (note the important negative—“not for themselves”). They have learned to say “No” to self just as Jesus did. Five times we read how Jesus had the constant struggle within His own soul that required Him to “deny” His own will, say “No!” to it (cf. Titus 2:12, NIV). They were frightfully painful. (We’ll look at them tomorrow, the Lord willing.)
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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