Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was an act of love. This love should motivate us to live for Him. But what does it mean to live for Christ? It is more than just belief in Him or an appreciation for what He has done. These things should affect our behavior. So let us consider how we live for Christ.
Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2)
- Paul mentioned this in our text – “no longer live for themselves” (2 Corinthians 5:15); Jesus died for us, so we live for Him
- We make a living sacrifice – ongoing; Jesus gave Himself to redeem us (Titus 2:14); we belong to Him, so we are to do His will; we must live so that it is as if Christ was living in us (Galatians 2:20); this affects every part of our lives
- This will make us different from the world – “do not be conformed to this world”; His disciples have been called to be “not of the world” (John 15:18-19); we cannot be taken out of the world (John 17:14-16); we must live so that others see Christ in us
Living Stones (1 Peter 2:4-10)
- Again, living for Christ makes us different from the world [previous point] – Jesus was “rejected by men,” and we are “coming to Him”
- We are “living stones” in a “spiritual house” – this house is the church (Ephesians 2:19-22); Jesus is the cornerstone; everything is built and based upon Him (cf. Matthew 16:18)
- As “living stones” of His church, we are built together and work together – we “once were not a people,” and not tied together by the things of the world (Acts 10:34-35; Galatians 3:28); now we are “fitted together” (Ephesians 2:21), and every part contributes (Ephesians 4:16)
Living According to the Standard (Philippians 3:14-19)
- So far, we have seen that living for Christ involves sacrificing for Him and being part of His church – yet many do this and still fail to please the Lord (cf. Matthew 7:21-23; Revelation 3:1-2)
- We are to follow the standard that is found in God’s word (2 Timothy 1:13) – this means doing what has been authorized in His word (Colossians 3:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- We are not to be like those who made themselves “enemies of the cross of Christ” – they do this by NOT following the pattern; they fail to treat Jesus as Lord (Luke 6:46); our lives must be built upon His word (Matthew 7:24-27); hear and obey
Conclusion
- Jesus died for us, so we must live for Him – we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice; we function as living stones in His church; we follow the pattern given in His word
- We do all this in order to prepare for our appointment before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10)
