Love Compels Us

Throughout the gospels, compassion moved Jesus. Love compelled Him to heal the sick, raise the dead, and open the eyes of the blind. He felt such love for those around Him that He was moved to action, to the point that He willingly went to the cross to pay the price for a world separated from God. He did this so that anyone who believes in Him wouldn’t perish but would instead find eternal life in Him.

As a Christian, you have received that love, which has transformed you. The Word tells us that the same love that moved Jesus to heal the sick, free the oppressed, and save the world has been poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5). We are not just recipients of His love; we are vessels filled with it. But it isn’t just for us to hold onto. It’s meant to flow out of us and impact the lives of others.

The Bible says: “For the love of Christ puts us into action. We are sure that Christ died for everyone. So, because of that, everyone has a part in His death. Christ died for everyone so that they would live for Him. They should not live to please themselves but for Christ, Who died on a cross and was raised from the dead for them.” (2 Cor. 5:14-15 NLT).

The love of God should move us into action on behalf of our friends and family, our acquaintances, neighbours, and even strangers. His love should be at the core of our motivation. We carry something that others desperately need: the hope of the Gospel.

Look around. The world is in turmoil. So much is happening around us that, without our relationship with Jesus, it would be easy to fall into despair. And that’s exactly where so many people find themselves—hopeless. But there is hope, and it is found in Christ. However, if we don’t let God’s love compel us to action, some of these people may never hear the message of hope we carry. Too often, we, myself included, allow fear to hold us back from doing what God has asked of us. But how will these people hear unless we tell them? There are people in your life that I will never meet, that your pastor may never meet.

But God has placed them in your life, and He has called, equipped, and empowered you to share the hope they so desperately need. If love isn’t your motivating factor, something else will be. Fear, laziness, and apathy will always try to take its place. But these things will never motivate you to speak up. They will only push you into silence, and that silence could mean the difference between life and eternal separation from God for someone.

It’s Time to Take Action You don’t have to be a preacher, a great theologian, or even have all the right words. You simply have to be willing. Let God’s love move you beyond fear and hesitation. Start today, pray for an opportunity to share Jesus with someone. Ask God to open a door and give you the boldness to step through it. Who in your life needs to hear the message of hope? A friend? A coworker? A family member? Don’t wait. Take that step of faith and start the conversation.

The love of Christ has changed your life; now go and share that love with someone else!