Sept 24 Devotion: Constrained

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

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.

         The word “constraineth” means to hold together, to compress, to arrest, to compel, to keep in place, to be in a strait. The thought of a strait is a narrow passage that does not allow for a broad leeway. The passage is condensed to the point of being very constraining. It reduces the freedom of choice down to a very careful path that must be adhered to. There is great danger when you attempt to travel broadly in a narrow strait.

         The fact that Jesus Christ loves us and that we should love him is the basis upon which our lives should be constrained. Our choices should be narrow in scope. We should humbly submit to the standards of the word of God and live according to the will of God. When we attempt the broad way, then there is danger. When we are walking outside of God’s chosen path, we can easily find ourselves shipwrecked.

         The above passage of scripture gives us a foundational principle to understand and apply. Christ died for us. We should therefore live for him. His way is the right way, and our responsibility is to follow that way. If we live for ourselves in selfish pride, we will find ourselves dashed upon the rocks of the strait. But if we live for the Lord in humble submission, we will travel the proper path of service that leads to honoring and glorifying the Lord who bought us. To be constrained by the Lord does not mean losing one’s freedom (although the devil and your flesh will try to convince you of that) but instead it means to be made free from the path of destruction. We need to be kept in check, so the love of Christ “constraineth us”. Don’t balk at the constraints. They are for our benefit.

In Christ’s Service,

Bro. Adrian Moore

2 Cor. 4:5