For the Love

For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died.

2 Corinthians 5:14, NET

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. (KJV)

The little Greek word synechō transcends every language with universal meaning.  We are living in an age when it is more critical than ever to define our terms. Terms that once meant one thing are now imbued with a completely different meaning.

Take the word “safe“, for example.

When I committed my life to serve Jesus among the unreached and unengaged over three decades ago, conversations concerning the word “safe” were primarily about physical safety. My heroes were Elisabeth and Jim Elliot, and Amy Carmichael (and still are.) I counted the cost of my physical safety and chose to go to places where my safety was not guaranteed.

In today’s world, the word “safe” can commonly refer to one’s mental and emotional safety. Its use requires clarity. One may feel physically safe, yet emotionally and mentally endangered. 

Either way, we feel rather unsafe in the world today. Words are complex and deserve to be clarified.

The complexity of the Greek word used in 2 Corinthians 5:14 to describe the power of Christ’s love could change everything.

According to Olive Tree Enhanced Strongs Dictionary, συνέχω (synechō); means: 

To hold together, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy, hold, keep in, stop. To hold together any whole, lest it fall to pieces or something fall away from it. To hold together with constraint, to hold one’s ears, forced into a narrow channel (as a ship), a cattle squeeze: forcing the beast into a position where it cannot move so the farmer can administer medication. To hold completely. To urge, impel the soul.

 

The implications are breathtaking and could change the world, one love-constrained heart at a time. It could pivot the definition of superspreader. 

 

Here are my thoughts about what His love does, according to this multi-faceted definition:

The love of Christ holds us together when it feels like everything is falling apart.

The love of Christ compels us.

The love of Christ perplexes us (surely because it is so different from our natural inclination to hate, cancel, and self-protect.)

The love of Christ afflicts us (especially when faced with loving our enemies.)

The love of Christ preoccupies us (if we truly want to be peacemakers.)

The love of Christ holds us.

The love of Christ keeps us inside its boundaries, showing us how to love others.

The love of Christ stops us from doing things we will regret.

The love of Christ holds me and you together as a whole, lest we fall to pieces or one of us fall away from the unity He makes possible.

The love of Christ holds us together with constraint, not allowing us to lose control beyond repair. Repair is always possible through Jesus.

The love of Christ holds our ears when it’s time to block out every other voice but His.

The love of Christ sometimes forces us into a narrow channel like a ship. In this narrow place, we are uncomfortable, but we are directed, guided, and protected. His safe harbor is our destination.

The love of Christ is like a cattle squeeze, where our Faithful Farmer forces the beast of our selfishness into a position where it cannot move so the Farmer can administer medication to heal our brokenness.

The love of Christ holds us completely.

Perhaps most marvelous of all, the love of Christ urges and impels our souls, which means it forces our souls to move forward even when we are paralyzed by pain, loss, conflict, or anything that would seek to separate us from His love.

Selah.

Dearest, mysterious, mind-blowing Lord, what Love is this? I want to be constrained by it today and every day after. Amen.

How has Christ’s love done any of these things for you? I’d love to hear your story.

@audreycfrank

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash