In Order to Love

Heb. 13:12 – 14 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. II Cor. 5:14-17 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

There are some ideas in the above scriptures I would like to incorporate for your consideration and response. The lesson is about the love of Christ as reflected in these passages:

• “. . One died for all . .”

• “. . that He might sanctify the people with His blood . .”

Love’s field of action is seen in the passage from Hebrews:

• “. . suffered outside the gate . .”

• “. . outside the camp . .”

Both passages from Hebrews and Second Corinthians show the outcome of Christ’s love:

• “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”

• “For the love of Christ compels us . .”

• “. . those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

• “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.”

• “. . if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation . .”

Also, the above scriptures are about our transition into the love of God. Life in the flesh; what we feed, comfort, and entertain, exists within certain boundaries. Some of those boundaries are family, nationality, financial status, and religious association (the camp). These provide a sense of belonging, purpose, and achievement. The Lord has gone beyond those barriers through a new and living way. This, in part, is the doctrine of love. How do you see its practical outcome in our lives?