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.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.
2 Cor. 5:15 & 17
Footnotes taken from NIV Life Application Study Bible:
Everything that Paul and his companions did was to honor God. Christ's love controlled their lives. Because Christ died for us, we also are dead to our old lives. Like Paul, we should no longer live to please ourselves; we should spend our lives pleasing Christ, who died for us and rose from the grave.
Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated -- we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6,7). At conversion we are not merely turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life under a new Master.
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Colossians 2:6 & 7
The word that keeps standing out to me in our verse this week is ALL.
ALL have sinned.
He died for ALL.
He paid it ALL.
He is our ALL in ALL.
He works out ALL things for our good, if we love Him.
ALL things are possible with Christ.
Love the Lord with ALL your heart.
Do you have any thoughts to share about this verse this week?
Great verses! They speak to me in that He gave everything for me, you, and ALL. One great way we can live for Him and not ourselves is to share His love and grace with ALL those around us, especially our brothers and sisters. That's tough! But we can do it through Christ because we are new creations. I'm so thankful for the new creation in Him!
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