What does the apostle Paul mean when he says that Christians are controlled by the love of Christ? Here are some words (in order) that describe how we might experience the love of Christ. Each one is deeper, richer, and fuller than the ones before it.

1. Hear: Many of us have heard about the love of Jesus. Maybe you’ve heard that Christ loves you since you were very young.

2. Believe: Do you believe that Jesus loves you? Maybe you can even remember when you first came to believe this.

3. Receive: Is the love of Christ more than something out there for you, more than something you chose to believe in? Has this love been poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5)? Maybe you are not sure, and you sometimes wonder, Is this true of me?

4. Fill: Paul prays that we would have strength to know the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ (Eph. 3:18). Then he prays for us to be filled (3:19). How marvellous would that be? To relate to the love of Christ in such a way that your empty tank is filled with the love of Christ. But the next word Paul uses–control–goes beyond even being filled.

5. Control: To be controlled by the love of Christ means to be energised, moved into action, and directed by this love. To be filled with the love of Christ would mean that you enjoy this love. But to be controlled by the love of Christ means that others are touched by this love through you.

Reflect on your experience of Christ’s love considering each of these five words.