Love... Is Compelling

Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

Matthew 5:41 (NKJV)

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

He said to them, “Come and see.” 

John 1:39 (NKJV)

“Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

John 4:29 (NKJV)

“Compelling”, in its adjective form, means:

“Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.” (Oxford Dictionary)

“Compel”, in its commanding verb form, means:

“Force or oblige (someone) to do something.” (Oxford Dictionary)

In that sense, I can’t recall all the times I didn’t want to do or say something… that, in hindsight, I should have done or said.

But I might remember the other times I felt compelled… and did do the RIGHT thing. If it was a loving or helpful thing, that compelling commandment came from God!

Paul put it this way: 'I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn't preach the Good News!' (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Think of God’s immeasurable passion: The Almighty is a ‘Consuming Fire' (Hebrews 12:29). His Spirit is a ‘Flame of Fire’ (Hebrews 1:9)– never to be ignored, hidden, or quenched:

 'Do not quench the Spirit' (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

By God’s compelling love, hearts are stirred to bold moves not ordinarily taken… which makes perfect heavenly sense, because YOU weren’t designed to be ordinary!

'That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world' (Philippians 2:15).

Performers are called to be compelling: compelling their fans to watch and listen to dazzling displays of their talent. Do your acts help viewers forget their woes? Yes! But manmade shows are merely Band-Aids.

However…

The ONE Who isn’t a bandaid is Christ, and thanks be to God, you carry the Cure. Some fans who follow you WILL dig deeper… into the story of your off-stage life. 

Through you, they’ll meet the actual Healer… and some will feel compelled to follow Him!

Love… Is Compelling (Part 31)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to models of Jesus, and we all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.

WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!