One Trait at a Time: Jesus Christ’s Compelling Love
Matthew 13:54 (NIV)
54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed.
“Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.
Wisdom Quote
“From 1 Corinthians 1–3 it is almost certain that Paul identified the wisdom from God with God’s saving deed in the crucified Christ, particularly in the proclamation of the saving event.” It relates primarily to “the revelation of God in the cross.”[1]
[1] Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 2000. Print. New International Greek Testament Commentary.
Jesus Christ’s Compelling Love
In addition to God’s greatness, consider God’s goodness expressed through His love, demonstrated in Christ’s sacrifice for you.
Peter connects reverent fear of God with gratitude for His loving redemption through the cross. Both motivate us to live pure and loving lives that obey God’s commands (1 Peter 1:17–25).
Remember what the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have done for you.
The Father loves you unconditionally. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to save you. Our loving obedience is a response to God’s love for us.
According to Jesus, the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). How do we love God?
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.”
—1 John 5:3
Jesus loves you so much that He gave His life for you on the cross.
His loving sacrifice inspires transformation.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”
—2 Corinthians 5:14
If Christ’s love does not compel you, perhaps you do not yet grasp it clearly enough.
When you deeply consider what Jesus has done for you, you will want to do everything you can to honor Him. To increase your appreciation for Christ’s love, read the Gospel accounts of His crucifixion as well as Philippians 2:5–11. Reflect on what He has done for you.
When you celebrate the Lord’s Supper, pause to consider Jesus’ incredible love that led Him to give His body and blood for you.
When you understand God’s love in Christ, you desire to live in a manner worthy of that love. Consider God’s greatness, which inspires holy fear, and His goodness, expressed through Christ’s sacrifice, which compels you to love Him.
In response, offer yourself as a living sacrifice to honor God (Romans 12:1–2).
