Possessed!

Yesterday as I was walking home from my office at noon, I came upon a doe and her fawn crossing the street; a very common occurrence in our community. I slowed down to prevent spooking them and traffic on the road stopped in both directions to let the deer safely pass by. However, one impatient motorist (a man busy chomping on his lunch) pulled around the entire line of stopped traffic and zipped on through even though the deer were still crossing, besides the fact he was passing on a curve. As other motorists who had stopped began honking at the passing vehicle, I immediately thought, “What possessed him to do that?”

Sometimes we may wonder what possesses people to do the things they do or say the things they say. Generally there is some COMPELLING FORCE that possesses people to do what they do and I have come to the conclusion that many are merely “self-possessed.” They act or speak COMPELLED by their own selfish desires. The motorist I mentioned above appeared to be only focused on getting to where he was going, giving little thought to the stopped traffic in either direction or the possibility of spooking the deer. Instead he seized the opportunity to zip by traffic and continue on his way. Had traffic from the other direction started moving (the deer being safely out of that lane) a greater delay could have been created.

What possesses us to do what we do and say what we say? What is the COMPELLING FORCE that operates most in our life? Do we tend to be “self-possessed” or is there a power beyond us we are allowing to exercise its strength?

As Paul lived out his life, he acknowledged it was no longer he who lived, but rather Christ who lived in him. ( Galatians 2:20) Paul also stated that for him to live was Christ. ( Philippians 1:21) In other words, Christ was the essence of his life. We might therefore say Paul was “Christ-possessed.” And if we are Christians, having been purchased by the blood of Jesus, it should be the same for us.

So, what was the COMPELLING FORCE in the life of Paul and his companions?
“(14) FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONTROLS US, because we have concluded
this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; (15) and he died for all, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE MIGHT NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES BUT FOR HIM who for their sake died and was raised.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV)

The NIV and NKJ versions read “For Christ’s love COMPELS us…” and “For the love of Christ COMPELS us…” respectively. The literal idea of the Greek word (sunecho) used here by Paul is “to hold together.” We need to have the FORCE of the love of Christ holding us on track, binding us in His possession so that our actions and words can remain in line with His Will. COMPELLED by Christ’s love we are to be living for Him!

Love is a powerful COMPELLING FORCE. It can empower us to do things we might never have imagined. Let us therefore make sure it is Christ’s love working in and on our lives to control our actions and words.

Have a great day LIVING A CHRIST-POSSESSED LIFE!
Carl

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