THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE:
In verses 14 and 15 Paul comes to two conclusions:
1. The total depravity of man (v.14). If Christ died for all, then all must be dead in trespasses and sin.
2. God’s purpose for saving us (v. 15). He died that we might live through Him and for Him, and one day with Him.
In 1858, Francis Ridley Havegal visited Germany with her father, who was being treated for an eye problem. While in a pastor’s home, she saw a painting of the crucifixion with words under it that said:"I did this for thee. What has thou done for me?" Quickly she took a piece of paper and wrote a poem based on those words. However, she was not satisfied with it, so she threw the piece of paper into the fireplace. The paper came out unharmed, so her father encouraged her to publish it. Later the famous song writer and composer Phillip Bliss put music to the words and today people all around the world sing it.
I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might’st ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead.
I gave, I gave, My life for thee,
What hast thou given for Me?
In this passage (vv. 16-21) Paul summarizes the motive of the whole Christian life. Christ died for all and the old self of the Christian died in that death. He arose a new man. In this newness of life he has acquired a new set of standards. He no longer judges things by the world’s standards.
APPLICATION:
As a Christian, I am Christ’s ambassador in this world. Therefore, if sinners reject me and my message, it is Jesus Christ who is actually rejected. What a great privilege it is to serve Him!
