The love of God controls the believer. In Philippians 1:23, the Apostle Paul writes, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” “I am in a strait betwixt two” could be translated, “I am held in constraint by reason of the two.” Picture a man pressed on both sides or held so that he cannot move as he will. The idea is that of a person being shut up to one line and purpose. The love of Christ limits the believer to the mastering principle of love itself.
Next, the love of God is captivating. The Apostle Paul was possessed, engrossed, occupied, and absorbed with the wondrous love of Christ. He was captivated so much by the love of God, that even when he was imprisoned, he prayed and sang praises unto God (Acts 16:25).
The love of God also compels the believer to push on when things get too much. The physical body gets weary at times, but the spirit reaches out to the abiding love and finds a refreshing of hope and life.
Lastly, the love of God constrains the believer. In II Corinthians 5:13-15, we read, “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of God constraineth us: because we thus judge, that if one died for all then all were dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again.” The mediocre Christians at Corinth misunderstood the sacrificial life of the Apostle Paul. Some thought Paul was out of his mind at times. Paul was strong in his argumentative reasonings. Paul’s answer is a polite apology, “Whether we be out of our mind or in a sound state of mind, I have only one explanation to put forward in my defense: the very spring of my actions is the love of Christ, for the love of Christ constraineth me.” The word “constraineth” portrays the deep and overwhelming mastery of love at its core. This is what converted a man who hated Christians at one time to become a believer and became the great Apostle Paul.