What Drives You? The Love of Christ Compels Us
2 Corinthians 5:11–15
What motivates you? For some, it’s success. For others, recognition. Many are driven by comfort, ambition, or the approval of others.
Paul gives us a different answer: “For Christ’s love compels us” (2 Cor 5:14). He is saying the driving force in his life was not fear of failure or desire for fame, but the overwhelming love of Jesus displayed at the cross.
Think of people who give themselves wholly to something they love: Lionel Messi with football, Leonardo DiCaprio pushing his body for an Oscar-winning performance, Michael Jordan obsessed with basketball excellence. If people are willing to give everything for sport, fame, or art, how much more should we give our lives for Christ, who gave His life for us?
Paul explains: “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again” (v.15). To live for Christ is to move from a self-centered life to a Christ-centered one.
Practical Application:
Ask yourself: What really compels me?
Parents — does Christ’s love shape how you raise your children?
Workers — does it guide your integrity when no one is watching?
Students — does it shape how you choose your future?
To some, Paul admits, this kind of devotion looks like madness (v.13). But if we are “out of our minds,” it is for God. Better to be considered crazy for Jesus than wise by the world.
Coming next: If Christ’s love compels us, what does that mean for our mission? In our final reflection from 2 Corinthians 5, we’ll see that we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation.