From Controlling Others to Being Controlled by Christ’s Love   

From Controlling Others to Being Controlled by Christ’s Love           

The Apostle Paul made a bold declaration about what drove his life:

“Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

In Genesis, God gave humanity authority over creation, but not over other people. Yet, many in the church today seem more focused on using authority to control others than to serve them.

True authority is something people willingly submit to by their own free will. Paul understood this when he instructed husbands to love their wives just as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).

In Paul’s time, many marriages were arranged for business or social status, not love. Paul was giving practical wisdom to men stuck in loveless marriages, showing them how Christ’s love could completely transform their relationship.

 Paul knew the secret: we can only love others to the degree we know and believe in the love God has for us (1 John 4:19).

Paul, himself, was once the church’s greatest enemy. If God’s love could transform a man like Paul, imagine what that same love can do in a marriage, a church, or even with our enemies.

 We freely submit to God because we trust His perfect love for us. The same principle should apply in marriage and leadership. Love can be trusted. Love invites willing surrender. But far too many leaders and husbands—not knowing God’s love for themselves— resort to fear and control.

 Fear can modify outward behavior, but it can never change a heart. Only love has that power.

 As believers, we are not called to control or force the world to change. We are called to love the world because perfect love is the only force powerful enough to truly transform it.

 Let Christ’s love control you today. Everything else will fall into place.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning. For I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.   Psalm 143:8

                                                                                    Ed Elliot