“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).
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was an act of love. Before His death, He told His apostles, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). This love should produce a deep sense of gratitude in us. Yet, as Paul explained, it must do more than that. It should also motivate us to live our lives for Him.
But what does it mean to live for Christ? It is more than just a belief in Him or an appreciation for what He has done. Our belief and appreciation should affect our behavior. So let us learn what it means to live for Christ. To do this, we will consider a few passages that contain analogies and instructions that help explain this concept.
Living Sacrifices
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2).
Paul mentioned in our opening text that we must “no longer live for [ourselves]” (2 Corinthians 5:15). Jesus died for us, so we live for Him. We do this by presenting ourselves as a “living…sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). This is different from the animal sacrifices offered under the old law. Those animals could only be offered once because they were killed as they were sacrificed. When we make a “living” sacrifice, it is ongoing.
As Paul explained it to Titus, Jesus “gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14). Because we now belong to Him, we are to do His will. We are to live as if Christ were living in us (cf. Galatians 2:20), which will affect every part of our lives.
Not only that, but this will also make us different from the world. Paul explained that those who would be “a living and holy sacrifice” were not to be “conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). Jesus’ disciples are called to be “not of the world” (John 15:18-19). We cannot be taken out of the world (cf. John 17:14-16), but we must live in the world in such a way that others see Christ in us.
Living Stones
“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,’ and, ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense’; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:4-10).
As we noticed under the first point, living for Christ makes us different from the world. Peter explained that Jesus was “rejected by men,” and now we are “coming to Him” (1 Peter 2:4).
We come to Christ as “living stones” that make up a “spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). Paul explained elsewhere that this house is the church (Ephesians 2:19-22). Jesus is the cornerstone because everything is built and based upon Him (cf. Matthew 16:16-18). We must be “built on the foundation” that He provides (Ephesians 2:20).
As “living stones” in the church, we are built together and must work together. Even though we “once were not a people” (1 Peter 2:10), we are now together “in one body” (Ephesians 2:16). Those who make up the Lord’s church may come from “every nation” (Acts 10:34-35), from any background, class, or status (Galatians 3:28-29; Colossians 3:11). Despite these differences, we are “fitted together” (Ephesians 2:21) and every part is to contribute to the function and growth of the body (Ephesians 4:16).
Living According to the Standard
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things” (Philippians 3:14-19).
So far, we have seen that living for Christ involves sacrificing for Him and being part of His church. Unfortunately, many will do this, yet still fail to please the Lord. Jesus described those who claimed to do many things “in [His] name,” yet were practicing “lawlessness” (Matthew 7:21-23). Later, He rebuked the church in Sardis for being spiritually dead despite their good reputation (Revelation 3:1-2). In both of those examples, the root problem was a failure to continue following the pattern given by the Lord.
We are to live according to the standard found in God’s word. Paul told Timothy, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13, NKJV). The apostle told the brethren in Colossae, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17). This does not mean we do whatever we think will please the Lord (cf. Matthew 7:21-23); instead, it means doing what He has authorized us to do in His word, as His word equips us for “every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We are not to be like those who make themselves “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18). They do this by NOT following the pattern, thus failing to treat Jesus as Lord. Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). If we want to claim that Jesus is our Lord, we must live according to His word. As He explained at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, the one who is wise “hears these words of Mine and acts on them” (Matthew 7:24-27).
Conclusion
Jesus died for us, so we must live for Him. We do this by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice, functioning as living stones in His church, and following the pattern given in His word.
All of this is done as a response to the love of Christ. However, we also do this in light of what Paul described just a few verses before our opening text: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus loved us enough to give Himself for us. Now, we are to obey Him because of our love for Him (John 14:15; 15:14) and to prepare for the final judgment.
