Control

2 Corinthians 5:14 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.

In Homer's The Odyssey, there were mythological creatures called sirens. They lived on a rocky coast line and made a living by capturing sailing vessels. They had an unconventional way of capturing well armed ships. Legend has it that the two sirens had such a lovely melody that was so enchanting to hear that when passing sailor's ears caught the tune, they were completely captivated. The call of the siren was so beautiful and overpowering the seamen lost all interest in anything else but being drawn to the origin of the majestic tune. Spellbound and defenseless the sailors would plow their boast straight into the rocky shore in front of the sirens and the boats and men were then nothing but helpless plunder.

Read through what Paul is saying about the love of Christ in the verses above. Unlike the evil plot of the sirens, the Love of Christ captivates us for our good. Though the end result is vastly different as we journey to a loving savior instead of a mythical killer, I believe that Paul is expressing His total helplessness within the Love of Christ. He has no power over it. He can not escape it. Nor does he want to. He is saying that Christ has captivated his mind, thoughts, actions, schedule, desires and soul. Just like the sailors who were on their way to a seaport before the sirens detoured them to a death, Paul says he was on a path of flesh until Christ captured him and redirected his fate. AS Paul's flesh met its fate, He found a life that is so beautiful and meaningful that his life in the flesh has no grip on him or meaning worth pursuing. He is completely captivated with the provocative love of Christ.

I love verse 15. Paul says clearly that those who have claimed Christ as a savior no longer live for themselves, but they live for Christ. In verse 17 Paul states "if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold the new has come". Paul is basically restating verse 15. If you are in Christ, you are no longer on your journey of the flesh, but have been captured by Christ and now live for His Glory.

I have a question for you: what controls you?

Whose glory do you live and strive for, Christ's or yours?