Day Twenty-One
2 Corinthians 5:14 - 15
For the love of Christ overwhelms us when we consider that if one man died for all, then all have died; his purpose in dying for all humanity was that those who live should live not any more for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life.
Reflection
Paul was overwhelmed with the love of Christ when he meditated on his passion, death and resurrection for our salvation. Salvation is all about love: God's love for us and the response of love that He awaits from each one of us. All God wants from us is love. We know that we love God when we obey his word. If we are walking in disobedience to the teachings of Christ we know we don't love God.
We are called not to live for ourselves, which is what modern society so often wants us to do, but for Christ who died and was raised to life for us. Christ must increase, we must decrease. It is our natural tendency to be self-centred. Jesus came to free us from this sin, to be self-less, to be Christ-centred in a life of service for the needs of others, especially their spiritual needs. People, whether they know it or not, are hungry for the truth of the gospel, for an intimate relationship with God through Christ, for the gift of eternal life through faith and baptism.
Prayer
Thank You so much, Lord Jesus, for laying down your life in order that I might lay down my life for you in love and service to others. Help me to draw strength from Your passion to live in victory over sin and live a joyful life in Your presence.
Amen.
