Compelled

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

I had a dream a couple weeks ago. It wasn't quite a nightmare, but it had the urgency and confusion of one.

I was standing outside a house that had caught on fire. I ran inside to warn the 20 people sitting there that they needed to get out because the house was about to burn down. Nobody wanted to move. So I pushed and pulled and shoved them out of that burning house because I didn't want them to die.

Christ's love compels us. To do what?

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.
2 Corinthians 5:11

I have said some things to family or friends that have seemed crazy and perhaps offensive. Because of this, I'm often afraid of what people think of me and how what I've said will affect our relationship. But I know what it is to fear the Lord and have new life in Him, so I try to persuade them to follow Christ. Christ's love compels me.

There have been many times, though, when I've felt maybe I should say something, or have that conversation, or write that letter, and I don't. When that happens, the fear of man compels me to be silent.

If we really have new life and understand just how much God loves us and what Christ has done for us, we cannot be silent when the Holy Spirit prompts us to tell others about Him. Don't let the fear of man compel you. Abandon yourself to be driven by the love of Christ. Show the world what it means to have new life.