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Jesus died for us — not only for our benefit, but in our place. Once we accept the grace to believe this, the love of Christ impels us to live no longer for ourselves but for Him Who died for us and was raised up (2 Cor 5:14-15). After grace and love have totally re-oriented our lives from being self-centered to being Christ-centered, everything is new (2 Cor 5:17). We no longer see Christ as our Servant but as our Lord (see 2 Cor 5:16). People are seen not only as people but as present or potential sons or daughters of God and our brothers or sisters in Christ (see 2 Cor 5:16). Also, our self-image is no longer blurred by self-deceptive, prideful selfishness. We realize we are new creations (2 Cor 5:17) who are reconciled to the Father through Christ and made ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). We are literally like Barabbas in that we went free because Jesus was nailed to our cross and executed in our place (see Mt 27:17). When we realize this, we know that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rm 8:35) and that He will love us in ways greater than we can ever ask for or imagine (see Eph 3:20). Believe Jesus died in your place, and live a new life of love. |