The Love of Christ

"For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 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 Corinthians 5:13-15

Paul served Christ with such extravagance. But it was Christ's love for him that moved him to do so. The apostle's heart was captivated by His Redeemer's love. Yes, Paul loved the Lord. But it was the Lord who first loved Paul and pursued him on the Damascus Road. Before that time Paul persecuted those who followed Christ, and in so doing he persecuted the Lord Himself. But after He met the King of Kings everything about Paul changed. No longer did he live for himself, but for "Him who died and rose again on [his] behalf." This is evidence of a true conversioin. Those who have made a profession of faith in Christ no longer live for themselves. They now live for Christ.  It's a great mystery how the transformation takes place. It can only happen through the power of the Holy Spirit. And that power is available to all who will come to Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior. ". . .the death of Christ for all, which is equivalent to the death of Christ for each, is the great solvent by which the love of God melts men's hearts, and is the great proof that Jesus Christ loves me, and thee, and all of us." -- Alexander Maclaren