2 Corinthians 5:14 tells us, “For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.” The phrase “the love of Christ” is best seen in this context as Christ’s love for us – a love most clearly seen in His sacrificial death. As those who have passed from death to life, we have a growing appreciation for what Christ has done for us. In this passage Christ’s incomprehensible, unbreakable, unconditional life overwhelmed Paul. Christ’s love controlled Paul because he had concluded in a deep and profound way the reality of his identification with Christ. It is that identification that becomes New (2 Cor. 5:17) when we become a believer. Just as Paul was overwhelmed with gratitude that the eternal, holy God sent His Son to die as a substitute to pay the penalty for his sins, we to should allow that marvelous truth to move in our lives to live in a way that honors and glorifies the Lord. We do not do this because we are destined for heaven (although that is a privilege of the believer) we serve the Lord and His body out of gratitude for what He has already done for us, and for what He continues to do for us. May we learn to grow in our appreciation for what God is doing in our lives.