“The love of Christ,” said Paul, “constraineth us.” It was the actuating principle of his conduct; it was his motive power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty for a moment flagged, one glance at the cross and the amazing love of Christ revealed in His unparalleled sacrifice was enough to cause him to gird up anew the loins of his mind and press forward in the path of self-denial. In his labors for his brethren he relied much upon the exhibition of infinite love in the wonderful condescension of Christ, with all its subduing, constraining power. {4T 457.1}

»Kristi kærlighed,« siger Paulus, »tvinger os.« Det var det der drev hans adfærd; det var hans bevæggrund. Hvis hans iver på pligtens sti for et øjeblik udmattes, åbenbares et glimt af korset og Kristi forbløffende kærlighed i sit uforlignelige offer, så er det nok til at han, i tankerne, på ny binder op om lænden og går videre på selvfornægtelsens sti. I sit arbejde for sine brødre stolede han meget på den udviste evige kærlighed til Kristi forunderlige fornedrelse, med al dens undertrykkende og betvingende magt.