Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 June 25

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

Today’s Morsel:  The word constraineth means to hold together, to press together, to shut up; then to press on, urge, impel, or excite.  In this passage, it means that the impelling, or exciting motive in the labors and self-denials of Paul was the love of Christ.  The love which he had shown to the children of men.  Christ so loved the world as to give himself for it (John 3;16).  His love for the world was a demonstration that people were dead in sins (Ephesians 2:1); And we, being urged by the same love, are prompted to like acts of zeal and self-denial to save the world from ruin.  Because we are His representatives in the earth, we must strive to save the people from destruction.

Sing:  I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shores.  Very deeply stained within sinking to rise no more.  But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me!  Love lifted me!  When nothing else could help, love lifted me.  Love lifted me!  Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, Love lifted me!

Thought For Today:  You are His representative in the earth.