"The Power Of Christ Compels You"

I remember standing in line at a movie theater in Manhattan in 1973. I was 20 years old and waiting to get in to see the much hyped and talked about movie, "The Exorcist". It was rumored that strange spiritual manifestations were occurring even in the lines of people waiting to get in. Hundreds of people were being turned away. There was definitely a "buzz" surrounding this Hollywood exploitation of "good versus evil".

I sat through it. Yeah, it was scary. No one had ever done up the special effects like this before, yet there was an underlying truth attached to the film, exposing some of the ways the devil operates in people's lives. The imagery was startling, and there were elements that would stick with me long after I would come to know Jesus some 13 years later.

Funny thing. Out of everything that movie offered in graphic imagery and rumored subliminal messaging, there was one scene that always stuck with me, even now as then. One line that was repeated over and over again.

"The power of Christ compels you."

For some reason I seemed to believe that was true. I still believe it today.

In fact, I believe that if the power of Christ does not compel you, then something is wrong with your relationship with Him.

If you are compelled to do other things, which will often bring you to remorse and sorrow, then the power of Christ has not been allowed to work.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (AMP) - "For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died."

The love of Christ. Strong enough to vanquish the most evil. Strong enough to compel us to live for and follow Him.

It's not a magic spell. It's not a force that works against our own free will. It's simply a spiritual power that works in tandem with our surrender of our stubborn will to His enveloping love.

It's love that keeps the gospel alive and moving forward through the centuries. It becomes a great compulsion. We are so filled that we cannot help but share it. Impelled. Compelled. Moved. Energized.

If you have Christ in you, and His love moves you to do His will in this world, then you are compelled.

It's the power of Christ flowing through you and it will not be quieted, supressed, or silenced.


Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><