“Either way,
Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also
believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that
those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead,
they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”
2
Corinthians 5:14-15
New Living Translation
There is a
grave misconception that all who believe in God and/or Jesus Christ are going
to heaven. That’s only part of it; a changed life must follow. A person who
receives forgiveness from God is changed on the inside. Their outward
appearance is irrelevant for God doesn’t deal in externals. He deals with
issues of the heart and soul.
We are
called as believers in Christ to love as he loved. He is our example for godly
living. It is only thru time spent in the word and prayer that we can come to
truly know Christ. Receiving forgiveness and then resuming life’s activities as
if nothing had changed defeats the purpose of redemption altogether.
The key
statement in today’s verses is “He died for
everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for
themselves.” We need to
die to self. We must allow the Holy Spirit of God to make the necessary
alterations within us so that we can display his love and mercy to a dying
world. Yes, Christ died for everyone, but not all will embrace that death as an
impetus to change anything about themselves. To not do so tramples on God’s
grace. It is as if one can barter with God, making a deal to receive complete
forgiveness yet not allow any changes to occur. How foolish to think we can
barter with God as if we know what’s best for us. The life he offers us is so
far superior to anything this world has to offer; yet a move to God must be a wholly
deliberate act. We must be all in or we will miss the point of being a child of
God altogether. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Resource: The
Life Application Study Bible.
No comments:
Post a Comment