Susan Dies: 0:38

Welcome to the One Yes At A Time podcast. My name is Susan Dies and I'm here with my friend and co-host, Keidra Hobley, and today we're talking about saying yes to love that compels us. What it looks like to truly put our love for God into practice and what it is that motivates us to do that. So Keidra, let's start with the key verse... look up Second Corinthians 5:14-15

Keidra Hobley: 1:00

Yes, I sure will. It says, For Christ's love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all and therefore all died, and he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

Susan Dies: 1:20

So based on this verse, what should be the thing that motivates us to share the good news of the Gospel with others?

Keidra Hobley: 1:27

The fact that Christ died for us.

Susan Dies: 1:29

Right. For believers, it's the love of Christ and the lengths to which he went to show us his love. Mm-hmm. And the lengths to which he continues to show us his love, that should motivate us, or as this verse says, compel us. So what does it mean to be compelled? What is the difference between being motivated by an inner desire and being compelled to do something?

Keidra Hobley: 1:49

Yeah, I, I see one as being inward... and one being outward. Like, to be self-motivated that's something that's on the inside of me.. Right... that's making me wanna do something to benefit me, versus being compelled. I see that as an outward influence. Like it's not self-motivated. Mm-hmm. It's something that is beyond me. So to me, compelled is outward.

Susan Dies: 2:09

That's a good definition. Well, you know, I love word studies, Uhhuh. And so in the Greek, which is the original language of the New Testament, the word compelled in this verse is the word'sunecho'. Okay. And it means to hold together. To hold fast like a prisoner. Mm-hmm. Constrained to control. Mm-hmm. To press on every side in order to move something in a particular direction. Yeah. Mm-hmm. It's an irresistible urge that motivates us to action. And so the verse you just read says, the love of Christ compels us. And so if we put these definitions at the end of that sentence, it would read like this. The love of Christ holds us together. That's so good. The love of Christ holds us fast like a prisoner. The love of Christ constrains and controls us. The love of Christ is so strong that it moves us in a particular direction. The love of Christ creates an irresistible urge within us, and the love of Christ motivates us to action.

Keidra Hobley: 3:02

Oh, that's so good. I like that. Yeah.

Susan Dies: 3:04

And this is what Paul was saying... that the love of Christ and our understanding of just how much he loves us, is meant to be a driving force... the driving force behind our willingness to stop living a life that's focused on ourselves.. Mm-hmm... and as this verse says, to instead live our lives for him. And when we consider that he literally gave his life for us, it's not too much to ask that we live our lives for him. Yes. Right? And so let's talk about that. What would it look like for us to choose to live our lives for Jesus as opposed to living for ourselves?

Keidra Hobley: 3:36

I mean that's, the very definition of dying to self. is not putting my own selfish desires and will above what it is that the Father has for us to do. So it's literally taking him into first consideration. Right. That's dying to self.

Susan Dies: 3:51

Right. Looking at God's word.. Mm-hmm... and what he wants us to do... and being willing to do that. Yeah. Living for Jesus isn't easy and he told us it wouldn't be easy. Right. And that's because God's ways are not our ways... and so often what he tells us to do isn't necessarily what we wanna do. Mm-hmm. Like many times we wanna do the exact opposite. We wanna do what the world is doing because that's what's easier. And I think it's because as human beings we tend to like that path of least resistance. Mm-hmm. Right? Yeah. To just go with the flow. But just going with the flow is rarely God's plan. He wants us to go against the tide. Okay. And he wants us to be different. And his Spirit in us can motivate us. Mm-hmm. Control, constrain, move us in a particular direction if we're allowing him to guide our lives. God wants our lives to look more like Jesus and less like the world, and that's not easy because temptation is so strong. Yeah. You know? And we talked about that last week... that God has given us his spirit to live inside of us, to help us do those hard things and if we'll let him, he'll do that. Yeah. He will move us in that direction. He will give us the strength to do the hard things that God wants us to do. So what about you? Can you think of an example... you knew that God wanted you to do something... maybe you read something in his word, or you heard a preacher speak on something, that you were wrestling with something maybe uncomfortable or hard that you didn't necessarily wanna do, but out of your love for Jesus, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, you were able to do that?

Keidra Hobley: 5:19

Yeah. The first thing that comes to my mind is, just say something to somebody. I mean, it sounds so simple, and most people would think, oh, she wouldn't have a problem with that. But I'm, I'm really reserved naturally. And so when the Lord really started, using me in the area of words of wisdom.. Mm-hmm... you know, speaking to other people concerning things, I was very hesitant. Hmm. You want me to say what Lord? Mm-hmm. Like, you want me to say that to them? Like, you, you want me to say that to them like that? Like, can I say it like this? And so it, it took me, I can't even tell you how long to really get to the place where, I won't say that I'm comfortable, but it, it's, there's no hesitation now. Mm-hmm. And so initially when he first started, using me in that way, I, I was very hesitant to do that because I didn't wanna say those things. Right. You know? Not that it was bad, but who am I to say that to you? You know? And so, that's the first thing that came to my mind. But because I love him.. Mm-hmm... and because I'm willing to do what he wants me to do, and because I am his hands and feet and his voice in this case, I surrendered my will for his will. And then the more I did it, the easier it has become. Not that it's easy.. Mm-hmm... right. But the easier, that it becomes.

Susan Dies: 6:33

Right. And I can totally relate to that. Mm-hmm. Because you know that I am much the same way. Yeah. I'm pretty reserved. And even though I've been teaching Bible study for, 20 plus years now, Yeah. you would think that I wouldn't get nervous anymore. Mm-hmm. And yet every single time.. Mm-hmm... my heart's racing.. I'm talking to the Lord and I say, Lord, Yeah... help me to say this in the way that you want me to say it by your Spirit. Don't let it be my opinion. Mm-hmm. Don't let me chase a rabbit. Don't let me.. Yeah... babble on and waste anybody's time. I love the Lord so much and I wanna be so responsible.. Yes... with his word. Mm-hmm. So it's not that I don't trust him to help me. I don't trust me. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so, you know, I totally get, when he wants to use us in a way that's outside of our comfort zone.. Absolutely... that's a huge Yes.

Keidra Hobley: 7:18

And I think that, I think that's even healthy A little bit of, if you wanna call it nervousness, because it's just a reminder that we have to be completely dependent on him.

Susan Dies: 7:28

Right. Right. We can't do it. I say it every time, Lord, I can't do this without you. Yeah. Help me. But I can think of many times when what God's word actually tells us to do is not what I wanna do in my flesh. Yeah... but when I do things his way, I've experienced over and over again, that he not only empowers me to do it.. Mm-hmm... but he also blesses me in ways that I would've missed had I just done what I wanted to do.. Yes... or done it in the way I wanted to do it. Mm-hmm. Another thing I found though is when God is asking me to do something that I think is really hard.. I'll choose forgiveness...'cause that's hard for everybody. Mm-hmm. If I just picture Jesus on the cross.. Mm-hmm... you know, just enduring what he endured for me, whatever he's asking me to do pales in comparison. You know, sometimes I even picture him looking at me with eyes filled with tenderness and compassion... because he knows that what he's asking me to do is hard for me. Yes. And I picture him saying,"Susan, will you just do it for me?" Oh, I immediately I'm like,"Yes, Lord, I can do it for you." But then I have to go do it right away because otherwise Satan is gonna try to tempt me to change my mind. Yeah. And so I don't delay. That's good. That's good. When I know it's something he wants me to do Yeah. Just go do it. That's so good. But these are the experiences that shape us. When we read God's word... we know what he wants us to do... we sense his Spirit compelling us to put the things that God is telling us into practice, even if we don't want to, even when it's hard and uncomfortable, when we allow the love of Christ to be our motivation.. Mm-hmm... to obey... it makes all the difference in the world. And as a result, we live that blessed life that Jesus came to give us. Yeah. And so I want us to talk specifically about some of the things that God wants us to do as believers Yes. And as his children. Okay. I'm gonna ask you first. What's something that the love of Christ compels you to do?

Keidra Hobley: 9:13

To love other people. To serve.. Mm-hmm... his people... in the church, outside the church. Mm-hmm. Um. To forgive quickly. Mm-hmm. Yes. This is gonna sound weird, but just to enjoy life. Like his love compels me to enjoy my life. Like I literally had to forgive myself quickly for something the other day. I'm willing to forgive everybody else quickly. Mm. I had to choose to forgive myself quickly. Keidra, the Father loves you. Yes. He forgives you. I love that. It's okay to enjoy your life. Forgive yourself and go enjoy your life. So.. Right.. For me, his love compels me to enjoy my life. Amen. Yeah.

Susan Dies: 9:50

I love that. In keeping with that, the very first thing that came to my mind was the love of Christ compels me to rejoice. That's so good. Philippians 4:4 says,"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice." And that's not always an easy thing to do because life can be hard... and we all endure seasons of heartbreak and disappointment, and sometimes to rejoice just seems a little too much to ask. But I think the key is to realize this verse isn't telling us to rejoice in the circumstances. Yeah. But to rejoice in the Lord. So no matter how hard life gets or what we have to endure, the Lord has already promised I'm never gonna leave you or forsake you. Mm-hmm. He's promised to be our comforter. He's promised to help us. He's promised that he is near to the brokenhearted. Romans 12:12 says to rejoice in hope because he is our hope. Yeah. And so no matter what we face in this life, no matter how difficult our circumstances... we always have a reason to rejoice, because we have him.

Keidra Hobley: 10:48

Yes. That's so good. Yes. I wanna rejoice about that right now. Amen.

Susan Dies: 10:52

Another thing that the love of Christ compels me to do is share the gospel. Okay. That's the next thing that came to my mind. 1 Peter 3:15 says,"In your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a reason to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have in Christ. But do this with gentleness and respect." What comes to your mind when you hear that verse?

Keidra Hobley: 11:14

I think that it's the gentleness part that makes people receptive to hear.. That's right... the gospel.

Susan Dies: 11:19

That's right. We have to remember that not everyone knows him.

Keidra Hobley: 11:22

Yeah.

Susan Dies: 11:23

Or believes the things that we're sharing with them. And to not force our beliefs on someone. Yeah. Nobody's receptive to that. But to start with just sharing our story. Yes. To also consider that, no one wants the hell, fire and brimstone, right? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Is hell a real place? Yes it is. But So is heaven. Yes. It's, and God doesn't want our motivation to follow him to be, I don't wanna go to hell.. Yeah... but to be, God loves me so much, and He doesn't want me to go there... and so he's made a way through Jesus so that I don't have to. And so that's a very different way that we present.. Mm-hmm... the gospel, I think, that helps people wanna be drawn in by it rather than repelled by it.

Keidra Hobley: 12:02

Yeah. And then I love him so much that I wanna live with him forever. Right. That's a whole different perspective.

Susan Dies: 12:09

Right. And then we love other people so much. We want them to live with him and with us forever. That's so good. Again, we've gotta start with the people in our spheres of influence. So there is no reason, if we say that we love Jesus.. Mm-hmm... for us to ever hold back, sharing our testimony and to share with other people what he's done for us. And then the love of Christ compels me to live a life of holiness. That's good. You know, 1 Peter 1:16 says,"Be holy.. Yeah... for I'm holy." That's God speaking. And so what does that look like? Holiness is simply being set apart for God. Yeah. To separate myself from sin. And while, I don't do this perfectly, none of us do this perfectly, it is my desire for sin in my life to be the exception and not the rule. Mm-hmm. And to quickly ask forgiveness when I realize that my life is out of alignment with God's word and God's will to quickly confess that. He's not expecting us to be perfect. Yeah. But he does want us to be holy. He wants that to be our mindset and when I yield my desires to the desires of the Spirit living in me... his very presence makes me more like Jesus. Yeah. And that's what makes me holy. And because I love Jesus and because I want to live a life that honors him, that's my motivation. Yes. That's so good. All right. Well, another thing that the love of Christ compels me to do is to grow and mature as a believer. Mm-hmm. And, and by that I mean I've heard the gospel, I've received Christ as my savior. Now I've gotta learn how to walk that out. Yes. Things have to change because the Holy Spirit that lives in us is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. There's no way the spirit can come to live in someone and there not be a change. Right? Yeah, that's right...'cause that's incredible power. No Holy Spirit, no power. No power, no Holy Spirit. In this season of our podcast, you know, we're dedicating each podcast to a different fruit of the spirit, which is clear evidence that his spirit lives in us, and love is the very first fruit that's mentioned in Galatians 5 22. And genuine love changes us... and it rearranges our priorities... and our values, and it's God's spirit living in us that helps us to do that. Have you found that to be true?

Keidra Hobley: 14:16

Absolutely. Yeah. There are ways that we naturally cannot receive love or love other people, if not for the Holy Spirit.

Susan Dies: 14:24

How would you say your love for him has helped change the way you prioritize your days and how you spend your time and what it is that you value the most?

Keidra Hobley: 14:33

Oh my goodness. I, This is gonna sound funny but right now, I have a sink full of dishes. I have a basket full of clothes, like at home. I'm thinking about all the chores, all the things that I really would like to already have done, but I haven't done them because there are other things the things of God... souls are more important. People are more important. Loving on people is more important. So for me, that's really what it looks like. It's a lot like, okay, you can clean your room tomorrow. Mm-hmm. Or the day after tomorrow or next week. Cause every day, day. Now did you do that with your kids? You can do it tomorrow or next week? Of course not. Of course not. You'll do this today before you get to do anything else. But, but, but the love of God compels me to not make that task the priority. Right. It's his son, it's his daughter. It's the person that's standing in front of me. That's the priority. So. Right. That's how his love, for me and my love for him has compelled me to do things totally different.. Yeah... than I've done them in the past.

Susan Dies: 15:35

That brings a lot of freedom. It does. Another thing the love of Christ compels us to do is to get rid of bitterness.. Mm-hmm... and anger and resentment and fighting and slander and a desire for revenge. All the toxic things that God knows will ruin our lives if we let it. And to instead choose to be kind and compassionate and forgiving, just as in Christ, God has forgiven us. That's Ephesians 4:31-32. But what I was thinking about is when we feel wronged.. Yeah... this is a very hard thing that God asks us to do. But he knows how toxic it is and how it will ruin our lives if we hold onto that. Have you ever thought about the fact that it takes more strength, incredible strength to be kind and compassionate and forgiving when we've been hurt or wronged than it does to be angry and bitter? Absolutely. So think of it that way. If we're gonna do what everybody else does, where's the power in all of that? We're not being weak when we follow the example of Jesus. We're actually exhibiting incredible strength, which actually keeps us from living in that victim mentality. Mm-hmm. And again, when we think of what Jesus endured and we follow his example, and we let that be what motivates us, God blesses that and he will make sure to make right the things that have been done wrong to us. We can trust that. He said he would, and we have to leave that to him. And in the meantime we can live in freedom from all those toxic emotions that we experience when we hang onto that anger and bitterness. Yes. Another thing, the love of Christ compels me to pray. Yes. And this may sound obvious, yet I think it's the spiritual discipline that maybe I can take most for granted... that I see a lot of Christians take for granted. When you really think about it, that the creator of the universe... that the God of heaven, the savior of the world, that he invites me.. Mm-hmm... and you.. Mm-hmm... to bring everything to him. That he invites us to come boldly before he's throne, any time of the day or night. Mm-hmm. And yet, sometimes I'm too busy to pray or I'm too distracted to pray, or I'm too overwhelmed to pray, or I forget to pray, or I'm too tired to pray. And when that happens, I miss out on that power that comes from this incredible gift if I don't prioritize it.

Keidra Hobley: 17:48

Well, and I'm just thinking even to love him, to the point where you just wanna be in his presence. Mm. Like undistracted. You may not even be saying anything. You're not asking for anything. You're just listening. You're just with him, right? Like that. That's the kind of love that you want to be able to receive from him and to offer to him... just to be in his presence.

Susan Dies: 18:11

What about this one, you kind of touched on this. The love of Christ compels us to love everyone as Christ has loved us. And that's because he came for everyone. Yeah. You know, he didn't just come for us and the people we love, but for the whole world. Yes. When you think about the fact that Christ died for everyone, not just for some people, but for everyone. That he wants to save everyone. Mm-hmm. How do you think that challenges our thinking, whether we say it out loud or not, that some people have sinned so egregiously that they may not deserve that kind of love or that grace?

Keidra Hobley: 18:45

Yeah. I think the first thing is we have to take ourself off the throne. Mm. There's only one righteous judge, and so who are we to judge? I think the other thing is once we get off the throne, we need to go somewhere and look in the mirror. Amen. Because we too have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and yet he still chose to forgive us and love us. Right? So why would we not extend that very same thing.. Yes... to other people. And, I think we have a tendency to qualify sin. Yes. Like, you know, because someone else did something that we see as quote unquote a big sin. We, think that's unforgivable versus our quote unquote little sin. Mm-hmm. Okay. If you lie, you've sinned. Mm. Right. And that, needs to be forgiven. Yeah. And we still want the Father to love us even though we have sinned in that way. So we should extend the same thing to anybody else no matter what it is that they've done'cause sin is sin.

Susan Dies: 19:43

Right. But I think that's kind of hard to grasp. I used to work as a nurse in the pediatric ICU, and, the hardest patients that I ever had to care for emotionally were children who were there because they had been abused. Mm. They're on the ventilator. They're fighting for their lives because the ones who were supposed to care for them had abused them. Like I had a really hard time.. Yeah... with that. And I still think of this, one child in particular. And I can remember, I'm not gonna tell you exactly what I said to God about this situation or this person that I didn't believe deserved his love or compassion, but I was so upset by it. And, I just couldn't fathom how the person who did this could deserve salvation. And I was upset just thinking about this child going through the things that had brought them, to be one of my patients. And I just couldn't wrap my heart, my mind around how God could love someone who did this. But eventually I did have to come to terms with the fact that he loves everyone. He hates our sin, but he loves everyone. Yeah. And that none of us deserve his grace and his mercy. And the next time I had to teach on forgiveness, he brought this to my mind. Wow. Boy that was a wrestling. I was like, you know, I really don't wanna teach on this. But you know, it was one of the greatest lessons because I did have to really stop and think and hear God's voice say,"Susan, I love him as much as I love you." That's so good. And that was just so hard. Mm-hmm. It is just good that I'm not God. Yes. I'd make a terrible God.. Yes... because I have such a bias. But I can also tell you that the Holy Spirit has done an incredible work in me and to change my thinking about things like this and to just give it to him so that I don't allow those situations to harden my heart to the people who desperately need God's love to change them. And I say all this because I'm sure there are other believers listening and maybe even non-believers listening to this who have struggled with this but Jesus wants us to leave it with him. Yes. And we can do that if we remember the grace and the love that he's shown us. That's so good. Alright, well what would you say to someone who might say, I've never really experienced the kind of love that you're talking about. Mm-hmm. You know, I don't know that I've ever experienced the love of Christ for myself. Mm. What would you say to that person?

Keidra Hobley: 21:58

You know, it's not so much about what I would say. Okay. I think it's more about what I would do. Okay. Because to me, love is action. Right. You know, and I think for someone who's never experienced it, they want to see love in action. Hmm. Like, it, it can't be explained sometimes. So I, I think of times where it depends on who's standing in front of me and what the need is. Sometimes it's just giving somebody a hug... that allows them to experience the love of Christ. Mm-hmm. Sometimes it's, you know, just a word.. Yeah... that the Lord places on my heart to share with them and they know that there's no way I could've known that. Right. It's example like God sees you. Yeah. Exactly. Sometimes it's meeting a natural need. Nobody's really gonna be receptive to hearing about the love of God when I'm hungry. Right. I literally just this past week had a family, they had no food in the pantry. Mm-hmm. Well, that's not the time for me to open my Bible and say,"turn with me to". Yeah. No, it's. Go get them some food and stock their refrigerator and their pantry. That is a demonstration of the love of God.

Susan Dies: 23:01

Yeah. Then you have an opportunity.. That, that's it... to share the love of Jesus... and they've experienced it through you. They've experienced it firsthand. And because the spirit lives in us... it is him loving them through us. Mm-hmm. Yes. I love that. You know, I mentioned last week, that season two of our podcast is gonna highlight divine characteristics that are clearly seen in the lives of believers that are a direct result of the influence of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. And that's why we began this season with Say Yes to the Spirit because we can't do any of the things that we've talked about today, or any of the things we're gonna be talking about over these next, couple of months, without the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit filling us again and again and again. Because what happens is when we're seeking to live a life that honors God, and a life that focuses more on other people than on ourselves, it's easy to become depleted. Yeah. Right? Because as human beings, we don't have unlimited anything. That's right. We don't have unlimited love, or joy, or peace, or patience. Or kindness, or goodness in and of ourselves. Mm-hmm. We have it only because the spirit lives in us and he's the one that has all of these things in infinite measure, and we can trust that he's gonna give us those things that we need when we need it, but sometimes we have to stop and be compelled to just rest in him.

Keidra Hobley: 24:18

Oh, that's so good. Yeah. The love of God compels us to rest.

Susan Dies: 24:22

That's right. He commands us to rest... but his spirit in us compels us. It's okay. Like you said earlier, just give yourself permission to do it. Alright, well, we're out of time today, but we hope that you've enjoyed today's podcast and that you'll join us again in a couple of weeks for our next episode. In the meantime, we would love for you to take a minute to scroll down and leave us a text, or maybe head over to our website, one yes@atime.net, and leave us a comment or a review because we would love to hear from you. So until next time, we just wanna encourage you to say yes to the love of Christ and let his love for you and your love for him compel you to live a life more fully for him. Because someone in your life needs to know just how much Jesus loves them, and he wants you to be the one to go and tell them. Yes. Keidra, would you pray for us as we close today?

Keidra Hobley: 25:08

I sure will. Father, we thank you so much for your love for us. Thank you that by your spirit, you empower us to love other people. Amen. Help us to always remember that love is a verb. Yes, it's an action. It's what we do that allows other people to see how much you love them. So we thank you for the opportunity to love you and love your people. We thank you for it. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen.