Saturday, May 30, 2026

Scripture

“For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.” 2 Corinthians 5:14

Reflections

Has anything got you in its grip?

As humans, each of us are in the grip of sin.  We are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.  Yet when we come to know Christ Jesus, we are set free.  As we find within the order for confession and forgiveness, “In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins.”

In Christ Jesus, we have now been freed from the chains of sin and death.  Once we are set free, something else grabs us, the love of Christ.  Some translate 2 Cor. 5:14 as “the love of Christ urges us on”.  A better rendering of the original language might be “the love of Christ has us in his grip”.  We are under the grip of his love. 

Jesus died for all.  When we take that to heart, it does something to us.  It captures and captivates us.  It changes how we see things.  It shapes our motivation.  We see how Jesus lived for others.  We feel compelled to live for others as well.  We die to our old selves and get to live for him.  It’s no longer all about us.  It’s about what God desires to do through us.

We find ourselves in His grip.  It’s a good thing!

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for dying for me on the cross.  Help me to not take your sacrifice lightly.  Help me to not live for myself only but for others as well.  Keep me in your grip!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15