Controlled By Love
June 13, 2008Are there things in life so important that we are captivated by it? Not only are we captivated, but we find pleasure in serving it?
I am reading Becoming a Leader the Annapolis Way, by W. Brad Johnson and Gregory P. Harper. There is a chapter about commitment where the authors discuss how the Navy instills commitment into the character of midshipmen. They write, “Midshipmen harbor a sense of meaning and purpose about their work that most businesses seldom seem to conjure up from employees. Midshipmen understand that they are part of something important, something larger than themselves. This understanding allows them to make considerable sacrifice en route to becoming Navy and Marine Corps officers” (p. 41).
What causes a man or woman to undergo hardship, yet stay true to the mission? What causes a POW to be tortured everyday, yet remain loyal to country and fellow soldiers? What causes a cadet or midshipman to remain in the tough conditions of training during their college years? They are captured by a mission that is greater than themselves.
To be a disciple of Jesus requires commitment. We have seen that Jesus requires us to have a supreme and incomparable love and commitment to Him if we are to continue as disciples. Paul, in the book of 2 Corinthians, states that the love of Christ demonstrated to him has captivated him and controls him.
“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” – 2 Cor 5:14-15
This word “controls” has the idea of being pressed in on both sides so that we cannot move. The pressure on both sides controls us. Like a vice grip holds an object in place and controls it, so Paul is pressed in on both sides by the love of Christ. He cannot help but be controlled by such a love.
How do we develop the character trait of commitment in our own lives? Get to know Christ more! The more we understand the love of Christ for us, the more it will control us. The more we understand the will of Christ for our lives, the more we will be committed to pleasing him.
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” – 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Father, today I commit my heart, mind, and hands to you. You are my greatest desire.
Posted by commissioned