The Influence of His Love & February Resources
Everywhere we look this month, we see signs and messages of love, don’t we? It seems as though we can’t go anywhere without being confronted with hearts on clothing, candies, and cards. An entire month dedicated to love - how wonderful, right? While we certainly celebrate love - God is love, after all - it doesn’t take long before we realize how different the love of this world is from the love of God. Karen explored this thought and the history of Valentine's Day in a past devotional, which you can find here.
Today, however, I’d like to consider the effect of Christ’s love in the heart of the believer: is the love of Christ to compel me? Or is the love of Christ to constrain me?
Perhaps surprisingly (or perhaps not) – the answer is both.
His love for me is to both compel and constrain.
I first came across this idea as a young Christian when reading 2 Corinthians 5:14, which in part states in some translations, “For the love of Christ compels us…” and in others “For the love of Christ constraineth us…”
I wondered how His love could be what causes me to both do something (compel) and not do something (constrain).
Now I wonder how I could be compelled or constrained by anything butHis love.
In fact, a life compelled and constrained by the love of Christ has been described as one that is lived “under the influence of His love.”
Through His Word we have the opportunity to be reminded of what love truly is, as defined and demonstrated by God Himself: “God proved His love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’” (Billy Graham)
Having received such amazing love, we are now challenged to be conduits of it.
The next time you wonder why you should or should not do something, recall these words from 2 Corinthians. Perhaps you, too, will find His love is the answer as you seek to live under its influence!
With much love in Christ,
Cara Blondo
PS - An incredible opportunity – and adventure – awaits us this month as the message of love is shared and celebrated worldwide. Why not use this month to go deeper in our understanding of God’s love for us and our calling to love others; to share the love of Christ with those who don’t yet know Him; and to express appreciation for the relationships God has blessed us with?
Whether you could use encouragement in your relationships, desire to study biblical love, or are in need of a quick Bible verse for your child’s Valentine’s exchange, we’ve got you covered! We pray the following resources would bless you this month as we marvel at the greatest love of all time – the love of Christ!
Resources:
Questions on Marriage with Pastor Lloyd and Karen Pulley
Take Heart in Marriage by Karen Pulley
Her Husband Trusts Her by Karen Pulley
A Message on Marriage from the 2014 East Coast Pastors Wives Retreat by Karen Pulley
A Table For Two (Rekindling Your Marriage) by Jean McClure
Joy in the Journey (A Marriage Message) by Liz Estevez
Wisdom for Wives: Making Your Marriage a Priority by Cara Blondo
Singleness of Heart by Cara Blondo
What Are You Waiting For? (For Single Women) by Cara Blondo
A Message on 1 Corinthians 13 by Tina DiGangi
Daily Verses and Prayer Journal (Topics: “love” and “God is love”) by Cara Blondo
Finally, all married and engaged couples are warmly invited to attend CCOB’s monthly marriage ministry meeting, held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. More information can be found here. God bless you!