"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again." - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

If you drove up to your house and saw it in a pillar of flames while cries for help pierced your ears, you'd probably respond as quickly as possible - calling 911 and risking your safety to ensure your whole family was safe. . It's fair to assume that you wouldn't simply stand there, unmoved by the screams and urgency of the situation. You wouldn't Google "Fire Rescue 101", as if a little more confidence on the topic is what was required for the moment. Regardless of your preexisting knowledge about fires, you'd do whatever it took, even putting your own life on the line to put out the fire to save your family.

This story is a picture of our starting point for sharing the Gospel. Researching “Effective Evangelism Techniques” isn't going to be the catalyst for action. In fact, no amount of teaching will cure our lack of incentive. It won't be a multi-step program or religious to-do lists that effectively push us into action. There is only one thing that causes us to start sharing and representing the gospel well, and that thing is the compulsion of the love of Christ. Paul makes it clear in 2 Corinthians 5:14 that it is Christ's love that will compel us, because we are convinced that Jesus died for everyone, and we should no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died in our place.

Going back to the analogy of the house on fire; love would utterly compel us to take risks and save those who are perishing. If it is possible to experience this in the natural, we must recognize that it is absolutely necessary for us to step into it in the spiritual.

So how do we move from just recognizing that Jesus loves us to allowing His love to compel us? In a few words: Faith in Action. James says, "Faith without works is dead.". It takes the faith to trust God will provide the direction, the power to complete the work he’s assigned, and the obedience on your part to move when he says to. Once we have truly experienced the life-transforming love of Christ, we are compelled, but it is up to us to step out in action. Christ's love moving through us will be a catalyst for humility in our lives in such a way that we will not regard our own interests but see others with His eyes (Phil. 2:3-4).

Challenge: We must experience the urgent reality of the mandate of the gospel, allowing its roots to pierce deeply into the soil of our hearts. The world has been waiting for too long. Who will you offer the hope of reconciliation to today?