2 Corinthians 5:11-15 (NIV): Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 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.
God’s love planted in a person’s heart will ALWAYS compel them to “try to persuade men (i.e., people).” If someone has God’s love in their hearts, they will be as concerned about the lost as He is (and He is consumed with reaching them!) If someone does not care passionately about the people around them who will spend all eternity in hell, it shows a separation from God – they don’t have His love in their hearts, and His Spirit is not in control of their lives.
God knows how easy it is for people to get distracted and busy. In fact, those are the enemy’s two biggest snares. It is easier to distract a Christian away from the calling that God has placed on his or her life than it is to get us to engage in actual sin. It is easier to get us busy than to make us sin. But the results are the same: both distraction and busyness put distance between God and His people, cut us off from His power, bank down the strong power of His love in our lives, and ultimately make us impotent and ineffective as emissaries of the kingdom of God.
If we are going to be effective as Christians (and yes, Christians have a job to do, a calling to fulfill that we are called to do effectively), we must never let the cares of this world, the distractions of “stuff,” and the daily grind of existence sap the love that God has place in our hearts. It is that deep, abiding, Christlike love for others (even for our enemies and those who are persecuting us) that will keep us on task and COMPEL us to do what God has called us to do.
Father, I hear You loud and clear. Help me to rise above those things that take so much time, energy, and focus from Your calling, and fill me anew with Your love. COMPEL me in love to talk with ALL of those how don’t know You. Amen.