People regularly use leverage, manipulation, deception and all kinds of other tricks to get other people to do what they want them to do. Family dynamics can be a hotbed for this kind of controlling behavior. Advertising and commerce jump right into this arena to maximize profits. Religious institutions often use fear and shame to push people into actions deemed ‘right and good’. But Paul uses a different way to talk about being forced into something. He says that the love Jesus has for him drives him to share Jesus with other people. This is a completely different kind of forcing, even though Paul talks about it like he has no choice. What Paul is expressing is that Jesus’ love is so overwhelming that when he realizes how extravagant that love is, Paul can do nothing else but share it with others. Let’s get a fresh look at this compelling love!
