The love of Christ was the apostle's chief motive. It constrained him; bore him along like a torrent, in defiance of labor, hardship and opposition. Many of us know the force of love in social life, and feel a readiness to do, bear or forbear much for those whom we greatly love. But there is no love to be compared with the love of Christ. He is the brightness of the Father's glory, the express image of His person, God manifest in the flesh. In the fullness of time, He assumed our nature into personal union with Himself, was born of a woman, made under the law, to redeem those that were under the law, that sinners, believing in His Name, might not only escape deserved condemnation, but might receive the adoption of sons. For this great purpose, He emptied Himself; and, though in the form of God, He appeared upon earth in the form of a servant, submitted to a state of poverty, reproach, and opposition, was despised and rejected of men, lived a suffering life, and terminated His sufferings by a cruel and ignominious death: for, He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God highly exalted His human nature, and has given Him a Name above every name. Yet He is still mindful of those for whom He suffered; His heart is made of tenderness; His bowels melt with love; He appears in the presence of God for them, as their great High Priest, Advocate, and Intercessor. By His holy word He invites, and by the power of the Holy Spirit He draws, and encourages, and enables the weary and heavy-laden to come unto Him for rest. He promises to save them to the uttermost; to support and guide them safely through all their conflicts, temptations and trials while they are here; to lead them safely through the dark valley of the shadow of death; and then to receive them to Himself, that they may be ever with Him to behold His glory.