14. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15.and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Have you ever stopped to think about what drives you to do the things you do? Have you ever really took a good hard look at the reasons for which you do all that you do? What is motivating you right now to do the things you do? The need for shelter motivates and drives us to find a home to live in. The need for an income motivates and drives us to find a job. The need for higher education or an advanced degree motivates and drives us to spend extra years in school beyond the normal. The need for a healthier body motivates and drives us to exercise and diet. Some motivating force drives us to do all that we do, whether good or bad.

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he talks about motivation. Paul was a driven and focused man. He tells us the reason for his drive and what motivated him. He said, “For the love of Christ compels us”. It was for the love of Christ that he kept preaching when no one seemed to be listening. It was for the love of Christ that he pushed forward after being beaten and run out of town. It was also for the love of Christ that while in prison awaiting his own death that the churches were on his mind. Paul’s motivation looks the same in the life of the believer today. The love of Christ compels the believer to tell others of a life-changing Savior. The love of Christ compels us to grant and extend forgiveness when the rest of the world simply says “get even”. The love of Christ compels us to love our fellow man beyond we see on the outside. The love of Christ also compels us to reach into the darkness of the nations and shine the light of the gospel. This love of Christ looked beyond us while we were lost, rebellious, and indifferent towards God. Jesus demonstrated what true love looks like.

Paul said, “and He died for all, that those who lives should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”. Paul makes the assertion that there has been a change in his motivation. At one time Paul was motivated by pride, hate, and religious tradition. He was living for himself. However, when the love of Christ spilled onto his life and it became personal, he quit living for himself. We were no different. At one time we lived for ourselves and did everything that we thought was right and good. The day Jesus stepped into our lives, we were under new management. Our motivating and driving force that compels, urges, prompts, and pushes us to love, witness, preach, teach, and care is the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.