The source of our motivation may stem from a variety of reasons. Some may be motivated by a sense of accomplishment whereas others may be motivated to gain popularity. The Apostle Paul revealed the overarching motivation for Christians in his letter to the church at Corinth:

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Paul was controlled by the love of Christ. The word, controls, is a compound word that literally means to hold together. It conveys the idea of holding or gripping something even in difficult circumstances. Our desire to live for God should not be to gain His favor, but because of His favor. If our motive is to demonstrate our love for God to earn His favor, then we may fall into a performance based acceptance mentality.

The expression, love of Christ, could refer to our love for Christ, or it could be viewed as Christ’s love for us. The context of this passage indicates that Paul is referring to Christ’s love for us. Jesus exemplified love in action as He gave His life so that we might have life:

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

Paul revealed that the primary motivation in his ministry was not his love for others, but rather he was gripped by God’s love for him. If our primary motivation is to aid mankind, then we may find ourselves discouraged. When our efforts are not appreciated or when our efforts to help others are thwarted, then we may lose heart. If our primary motivation is the love of God, then ingratitude does not hinder us from our service. The love of Christ compels us to keep pressing on regardless of the adversity that we may face.

The next verse describes those for whom Jesus died. They are the ones who have died with Him and they are now living for God:

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 5:15)

The word all in this verse refers to those who have died with Him. This refers to those who have received Christ as their Savior and realize their identification with Christ. Paul’s letter to the Romans describes Christ’s redemptive work for those who are saved:

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

This is an amazing truth! Christ died our death for us that we might live His life for Him. The painting Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) challenges us with this inscription, “This have I suffered for you; now what will you do for me?”

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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