No Longer for Ourselves
By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo
2 Corinthians 5.15 “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” – NIV
We were created by God to serve His purposes on earth. When sin came into the human race, this original intention and purpose of God for our existence was distorted. The desires, plans and actions of men’s hearts were corrupted and inclined to evil most of the time, and not to their Creator. Paul laboured to explain how God is in the business of reconciling humanity to Himself through Jesus Christ. To do this, Jesus had to die on our behalf so that we should no longer live for ourselves, but for God.
In His death, Jesus died for all, whether they believe in Him yet or not. The redemption price was paid and we can only be reconciled to God through our faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 6.19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
No longer living for ourselves means having a constant awareness that He bought us with His own blood, and put the Holy Spirit in us. We belong to Him, and by implication should be doing what honours Him. Everyone then, should understand and purposefully live for God. We should resist the forces that want to drive us to the contrary. Our will, choices and commitment should be geared towards God. For whom do you live – self interests, other people or God?
Shalom children of God.