Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 5:11-15”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 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.”
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“The love of Christ controls us” (verse 14). Paul dedicated his life to serving the Lord and saving people’s souls because Jesus “died for all”. Jesus paid the ultimate price and performed the ultimate act of love for humanity when He lay down is life for us. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:13-14). God came to this earth in the form of a man to live for, serve and die for every person that has ever existed. That expression of love demands our complete and utter surrender to the will of our Savior and Master.
As we can see, Jesus is a very demanding friend. He said that we are only his friends if we do whatever He expects us to do. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). When someone truly understands who Jesus is and the eternal life that He provides for them, then they will realize that “they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (verse 15).
Does the Love of Christ control you? Who do you live for? We may refuse to ignore those questions for a while on earth. But we must give an answer when we all “appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (verse 10).
Please read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
