“old things” Must Pass Away—so we might LIVE for HIM!
“For the love of Christ controls us, . . .”
(2 Corinthians 5: 14a NASB 1995 Translation)
Stop right here.
- Re-read those words.
- Read them a third time.
Do we believe the truth of God?
Do we?
Does the love of Christ control us—every thought, every action & reaction, every decision?
Hum. Truly, this passage causes me to ask myself questions today.
Let’s read on to see the point the Holy Spirit is making.
“For the love of Christ controls us,
(2 Corinthians 5: 14-15a NASB 1995 Translation)
having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
and He died for all, . . .”
Consider today—
- Why Jesus Christ came to earth.
- Why Jesus left Heaven and all its glory.
- Why Jesus obeyed His Father.
- Why Jesus willingly laid down His life and died upon the cross.
- Why Jesus gave His life to become the Savior of all.
Do we believe the truth of God?
Do we move when the Holy Spirit bids us move?
Do we remain where we are when He whispers, “Stay, child”?
Truly, the Goodness of God causes me to ponder God’s will today.
Let’s read, continuing to see the point the Holy Spirit is revealing.
“For the love of Christ controls us,
having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
and He died for all,
so that they who live might no longer live for themselves,
but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”
(2 Corinthians 5: 14-15 NASB 1995 Translation)
“old things” Must Pass Away—so we might LIVE for HIM!
Have we ever asked ourselves—
- What is something I believed in my “old” life that is just NOT true?
- What is an action I did in my “old” way of life that really must be stopped?
- What is a thought I continue to carry that belongs in the “old” me but NOT in the “new” me?
- Have I really allowed my “old” self to die?
- Have I truly pursued the “new” self Jesus gave to me when He saved my soul?
- Who am I really living for in the here & now: me or HIM?
As we continue reading, may we really see what the Holy Spirit is revealing through the apostle Paul to each of us.
“For the love of Christ controls us,
(2 Corinthians 5: 14-17 NASB 1995 Translation)
having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
and He died for all,
so that they who live might no longer live for themselves,
but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh;
even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;
the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.”
Is it possible to see people who have become “new persons in Christ” and not remember who they were when they walked “lost”?
Is it possible to forget who they once were and only see them for who they are now in Christ?
- Can we truly forgive & forget?
- Can we begin to treat them as “brothers & sisters-in-Christ” & “heirs” of the kingdom of God?
- Can we really not remember who they once were & only know them as who they are now?
The Word of God says they are, so do we really have a reason to see them otherwise?!!!
“So Jesus said to them,
(John 12: 30-32 NASB 1995 Translation)
[Jesus is speaking to the crowd of people who had just heard the voice out of heaven.]
“This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.
Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.”
- Jesus left Glory to come as the Messiah!
- Jesus was born of a virgin—God ordained!
- Jesus grew up in a carpenter’s home, obeying his earthly parents & following His Heavenly Father’s will!
- Jesus walked in ministry from the age of 30 to 33 & He willingly called others to follow HIM!
- Jesus gave Himself to those who came into the Garden to arrest Him as He knelt to pray!
- Jesus laid down His life for you & for me!
- Jesus silently obeyed God’s will to redeem mankind!
- Jesus died upon the Cross of Calvary!
- Jesus was buried in a borrowed, brand-new tomb!
- Jesus remained dead, proving to the watching world that HE REALLY WAS DEAD!
JESUS AROSE FROM THE GRAVE TO NEW LIFE!
JESUS DEFEATED DEATH SO THAT WE MIGHT BELIEVE IN HIM & LIVE!
JESUS WAS SEEN BY OVER 500 MEN!
- HE ATE WITH HIS DISCIPLES!
- HE HUGGED & GAVE PERMISSION TO HIS FOLLOWERS TO TOUCH HIS RESURRECTED BODY SO THEY MIGHT BELIEVE!
- HE WALKED UPON THE EARTH IN HIS RESURRECTED BODY FOR 40 DAYS!
THEN JESUS ASCENDED BACK TO HEAVEN & SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER!
& WHEN JESUS STANDS—
HE WILL RETURN TO EARTH!
THAT’S RIGHT—JESUS IS COMING BACK!
& WHEN HE DOES RETURN—
HE WILL COME BACK FOR THOSE WHO ARE A “NEW CREATURE” IN HIM!
Therefore, as we walk throughout our lives—
- May we not love the approval of mankind more than the approval of God.
- May we not live, fooling the world, pretending to be something we are not.
- May we live for Christ & do our Father’s will.
May we live, giving Jesus our whole heart & NOTHING LESS!
Truly, “old things” Must Pass Away so we might walk in newness & live for HIM!
“For the love of Christ controls us, . . .”
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;
(2 Corinthians 5: 17 NASB 1995 Translation)
the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.”