Today’s Bible Verse
For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (AMPC)
Surrendered to His Love
The revelation of the Cross is the revelation of how much Jesus Christ loves you. It’s a revelation of a love that is so pure, so complete, so unconditional, that you can’t help but be drawn to it. It’s a revelation of love that compels you to only want to live for Him. The enemy tries to motivate people with fear; fear of failure, fear of lack, fear of a tomorrow that hasn’t even happened yet. God motivates us with His love.
In this verse, we can see that Paul had a revelation of this love, and it completely changed his perspective. This perspective was not from a position of how much Paul loved Christ. It had nothing to do with how Paul felt and the love he thought he was capable of giving. Instead, it was solely based on receiving Jesus’ love and living surrendered in that love.
Many Christians don’t step up in faith to answer the call of God on their life, because they lack a revelation of the Cross. When you truly understand God’s love for you, it will do three things:
1- It will control you.
Control is the power to influence or direct behavior. Instead of being in control of your own life, the love of God controls you to follow Jesus’ example. It controls you to do what the Father asks.
2- It will urge you.
A revelation of God’s love for you will persistently persuade you to action. Regardless of the circumstances, how you feel about yourself, or what has happened in the past, you will not hold back, shrink down, or turn away from your faith conquest.
3- It will impel you.
Impel is to drive, force, or propel you to act. God’s love will drive you to push through the challenges, force you to never quit, and propel you to the finish line as a good and faithful servant.
(Calvena Sautia)
An Uncommon Life
I once had a disciple ask me, “What exactly does it mean to surrender?” Verse 15 above describes it as someone who chooses to, “live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.” A surrendered life doesn’t value their own opinion, desire, or dream, but instead allows God’s love to control, urge and impel them to quickly obey the Father’s command.
Whether it’s in your commitment to wake up early to do daily devotions, to how you treat your family, to how you act on the job, to rearranging your schedule to show up at Life Group, to your willingness to serve at church, or to winning souls and making disciples, purpose in your heart today to allow the love of Christ to control, urge and impel you. Choose to live surrendered in His love.
Today’s Declaration
Father, today, I choose to allow You to be Lord over every area of my life. I humbly ask You to give me a revelation of the Cross. Give me a revelation of Your pure, complete, and unconditional love for me. I surrender my own opinions, desires, and dreams. I allow Your love to control, urge and impel me to live a life of obedience to Your will. I choose to live surrendered in Your love.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Ezra 1-2; Proverbs 1
- New Testament: Luke 13:1-9; 1 Timothy 1:1-11
