Written by our Lay Leader, Doug
“And he [Jesus] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.”
2 Corinthians 5:15-16
Many of us believers have come to understand Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross as a transaction that assures us of eternal life, an action taken by God on our behalf that allows us the comfort of knowing we will be okay forever, that we have nothing to worry about when we get to the end of our earthly life. But according to verse 16, Christ’s death has greater purpose, a purpose that drives how we live our lives here and now while we are on this earth. This verse does not say, “So from now on we have the assurance of eternal life and no longer have to worry about our salvation.” No, verse 16 tells us that Jesus’ death should prompt us to live our lives differently, regarding every person as your brother or sister in Christ. Jesus died so that we would change the intent of our life (which is what repent means), and instead of living for ourselves, we would live our lives for the sake of others.
Reflect on Jesus’ first instruction to the people: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). In my opinion, he didn’t mean that the judgment is near so you better get your act together, so you are assured of getting into heaven and enjoying eternity with God. (Believers might think after 2,000 years of being “near” that surely they still have a little more time!) I think he was saying that the kingdom of heaven is here, close by, right now—and you will see it if you live your life for the sake of your neighbor, if you change your perspective and look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. Your attitude, your attention in this life, should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, which is the intent and commitment to give your all for the sake of your fellow man/woman (see Philippians 2:4-8).
Instead of giving us comfort that we have it made, these verses should continually compel us to act now, to follow Jesus’s example in loving others with the same compassion he showed. Rather than sitting back and thinking “I’m good; I got mine,” we should always be looking out and caring for our neighbor, driven by the same love than Christ has for us.