The Apostle Paul was one of the best educated and most respected individuals among his own people. However, after meeting Jesus on the way to persecuting Christians, Paul’s life was radically turned around. Instead of persecuting Christians, he became one of the most effective witnesses to the saving power of Jesus in history. What is unexpected for some who read about his life is the fact that his faith in Jesus did not make his life easier, but more difficult.

2 Corinthians is a letter that tells us about the challenges the Apostle faced in his life as a follower of Jesus. Paul opened his letter by speaking of his times of experiencing deadly peril in his ministry. The opposition he faced was not only from people in the world but also from those inside the church. He called himself the timid one though he carried God’s gospel to continents (ch. 10), an untalented man though he fathered many churches (ch. 11) and a clown though he glimpsed heaven. Indeed, he provided a long list of the persecution he had borne in 11:23-30.

How was it possible for Paul not only to endure such things but also find deep joy and contentment in the midst of them? I find that the key to it all in the phrase located in 2 Cor 5:14, i.e., “Christ’s love compels us.” That little phrase explains what is to be the heart of every part of a Christian’s life. When we experience the love of Christ, we discover it changes everything about us. And, that phrase stands at the center of 2 Corinthians.

As we begin 2019 as a church family at LAC, we will consider what a life looks like when it is compelled by Christ’s love. It changes how we live through hardships, face death, make decisions about relationships, give witness to our world and even how we engage in financial stewardship. I am praying that we will have a fresh experience of Christ’s love as we enter in to this new year. If we do, we will find that it transforms every part of our individual lives and our church.