I read 2 Cor. 5 this morning and the first phrase in verse 14 caused me to pause – ponder – meditate…..to think about myself and the other followers of Christ around me.

Paul simply said: (14) For the love of Christ controls us….”

I wonder how often we embrace this truth or simply erase it with our actions, attitudes and words.

Two of the first verses I learned/memorized when I made the decision to follow Christ were:

Gal 2:20 NASB    I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.

2 Cor 5:17 NASB  Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

For me, these verses were a reminder that every aspect of my life was to come under the control of Christ – that I was to be made NEW totally.  I understand that I won’t walk in perfection, but is the direction of my life (all of it) moving toward Christ?

I wonder how often those who claim to follow Christ fail to embrace “the love of Christ” – which should CONTROL them – and erase the opportunity & responsibility to be ambassadors of reconciliation (see 2 Cor. 5:18-20).

In fact I wonder how many times we go to church on Sunday – participate in some way – maybe even leading a class and think we’ve engaged in worship only to leave and within 48 hours have once again erased “the love of Christ which is to control us” by the words we speak about other followers of Christ.  James 3:9-10 says of the “tongue” — With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

What do the words you speak reveal about Christ’s love & control in your life; do they embrace it or erase it?