Feel the Love of God Surround You

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 (ESV) — 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

God Loves you! 

This small phrase seen on bumper stickers, t-shirts, poster board at football games, leaves most of us assuming on the love of God.  We see this as God offering himself to us, like the shy 6th grader hoping we will take him up on his offer to dance.  God’s love is seen as a passive offer we are free to take him up on at our choosing and our discretion.  

Yet the Apostle Paul paints a very different picture of the love of God in 2 Corinthians 5:14.  He describes the love of God overruling, overmastering, and holding him.  He is held in the grip of God’s love, unable and unwilling to be freed.  It is this grip of the love of God that influences Paul to act and live the way he does. It is the love of God that calls us to no longer live for ourselves and to live for Christ.  

What is our great motivator for life and worship?  The love of God seen in the death and resurrection.  As the world celebrates romantic, hallmark love, we will be taking a different look at the love of God. Enjoy the ride. 

Post in the comments below ways you have been gripped by the love of God. 

A Gospel to Be Proud of: Focusing on Romans

Romans 1:16 | The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." 

In Romans 1 the Apostle Paul boldly proclaims his dedication and confidence in the gospel as the power of of salvation to everyone who believes, but what is this gospel that Paul is unashamed of and holds the power to save?  

The answer is simply and beautifully: Jesus.  

In Jesus’  life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, sending of the Holy Spirit, and promised return, we find the power of God for salvation and strength for living.

The Life of Jesus

In the perfect life and ministry of Jesus the believer finds Freedom from slavery to Satan, sin, and death.  Jesus’ perfect righteousness is credited to us.  His reward becomes our reward.

The Death of Jesus

In the death and penal substitution atonement of Jesus the believer finds Victory over death and the penalty of sin. Jesus’ perfect death satisfied the wrath of the father and becomes the payment for our sin.

The Resurrection of Jesus

In the resurrection of Jesus to life the believer finds the Redemption of his brokenness.  Jesus’ perfect resurrection reveals the restoration of this life to its true purpose; one in which God is glorified.

The Ascension of Jesus

In Jesus’ ascension to the throne and the right hand of the Father the believer finds true Justice. Jesus’ perfect ascension to perfect authority assures the believer that all that occurs in this life is under Jesus’ control and rule. The unjust will answer for their injustice in this life to the true authority and power in this world.

The Sending of the Holy Spirit

From the day of Pentecost and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the believer finds Power to live in and through the gospel life.  Jesus’ perfect sending of the Holy Spirit to apply His work of redemption perfectly allows the believer to rest not in his own strength or force but in the supernatural power of God to continually put sin to death and live in the light of who Jesus is and what He has done.   

The Promised Return of Jesus

In the literal and approaching return of Jesus the believer finds Hope for this life and the next.  Jesus’ perfect coming return offers the believer the hope to push through the turmoil and torture this life delivers. Trusting in the return of Christ brings peace for today and hope for tomorrow for the believer as he knows that it is not a matter of if Christ will return, but when He will return.

Freedom, Victory, Redemption, Justice, Power, Hope.  This is the good news of Jesus. This is what the Apostle Paul was unashamed of. This is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. This is simply Jesus.

Author: Vinnie Hanke, Lead Pastor Oasis Community Church Hesperia CA