Geoff Hohneck
Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians
The Believer's Motivation
2 Corinthians 5:11–15
10 April 2016
Since there are so many things to distract us from Christ, what will keep our focus on Him? In Second Corinthians 5:11 - 15, Paul provides three motivations that will keep our heart set on following Jesus.
We are to be motivated by the fear of the Lord (v. 11). When one is driven by a healthy respect and awe for God, that person is concerned for the honor of God's character. Because of this, they will be careful to be a good witness for him.
We are to be motivated by a heart for the church (v. 12 - 13). If we truly love Christ, then we must love His true church as He does. Despite all the pain the Corinthian church caused Paul, Paul still loved them, and was willing to suffer for their benefit. Do we love the church as much?
We are to be motivated by the love of Jesus Christ (v. 14 - 15). Paul writes that "the love of Christ constrains us" (v. 14) to follow after Him. It is not our love for Christ, but Christ's love that should motivate us to serve Him (1 Jn. 4:19).
What motivates us to serve Christ? Knowing that nothing can separate us from Christ (Rom. 8:38 - 39), let us set our hearts fully on service to Him.