{ Day 153 }

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 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. —2 Corinthians 5:13-15, KJV

The word constrain means “to grip tightly.” Paul was motivated by Christ’s love working in him and through him. God’s love became a driving force in all he did. It is the very power of living in godliness. I encourage people to focus on enjoying God more, not trying harder to overcome sin. Many people are driven by fear instead of by affection for God. In fact, I often recognize fear in many of my friends. I even see it in my own heart at times. When fear comes, we must respond by throwing ourselves into the first commandment. I become far more stable on the second commandment and the Great Commission when the first commandment is first in my life. The wonder, freedom, power, and pleasure of this is within the reach of every Christian, because it is the work of the Holy Spirit in the human spirit.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Holy Spirit, constrain my heart in love that I may experience the wonder, freedom, power, and pleasure You desire to put within my life.

As we position our souls to make the first
commandment first, we will be lovers
before we are workers.