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I hope everyone has someone in life who would
die for them. Such a person may be a parent or
spouse who would sacrifice their own life for
your life.
Israel Sacrificed Children
The Israelites sacrificed their children to Molech
by burning them to death, demonstrating the cruelty
of people in the world, besides the outlandish
things they'll do in obedience to false teachers.
Even though the penalty for sacrificing their
children to Molech was death by stoning, the people
were so hardhearted they disobeyed God and killed
their own children.
- "You shall also say to the sons of Israel:
'Any man from the sons of Israel or from
the aliens sojourning in Israel who gives
any of his offspring to Molech, shall surely
be put to death; the people of the land shall
stone him with stones'" (Lev. 20:2).
These Israelites didn't love their children
enough to die for them. Rather, they killed their
children to satisfy their own lustful desires.
People are the same today. There are few people
in the world who would die for another, but many
who would kill to fulfill their own personal desires.
Not Many Would Die For Us
God's word reveals that there are few people who
would die for us.
- "For one will hardly die for a righteous
man; though perhaps for the good man
someone would dare even to die" (Rom. 5:7).
Even if we are the most admired people in the
world, hardly anyone would die for us.
And of those who would want to die for
us, I suspect there are few who could actually
do it. Like Peter and the apostles who were committed
to die with Jesus but failed, many today who are
committed to dying for someone might not be able
to do it when the time comes (Matt. 26:35).
Paul's Attitude
Paul would have spent eternity in hell if that
could have saved the Jews.
- "I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not
lying, my conscience testifies with me in the
Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing
grief in my heart. For I could wish that
I myself were accursed, separated from Christ
for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen
according to the flesh" (Rom. 9:1-3).
Of course it's not possible for the Jews to
be saved by Paul sacrificing himself in that way,
so that's why he said he "could wish." If it were
possible for him to save the Jews by spending
eternity in hell he would want to do it, but it
wasn't possible.
Since we are to follow the apostles' example
and imitate them (1 Cor. 4:6; 11:1; 2 Th. 3:7-9),
perhaps we should ask a few questions to examine
ourselves.
Do we love the souls of men so much we'd spend
eternity in hell if that could save them?
Do we love our friends, family and brethren
so much we'd spend eternity in hell if that could
save them?
If we answered yes to these questions, how should
we act and behave? And what should we do toward
people who are lost?
Jesus Died For Us
Paul explains that Jesus died for us while we
were yet sinners.
- "For while we were still helpless, at the
right time Christ died for the ungodly"
(Rom. 5:6).
- "But God demonstrates His own love toward
us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
When Jesus died for us, He bore our sins on
the cross, redeemed us with His precious blood
and purchased the church. Therefore, everyone
who obeys Him is saved (1 Pet. 1:18-19; 2:24;
Acts 20:28; Heb. 5:9).
Because Jesus died for us, we can die to sin
and live to righteousness by obeying Him and being
baptized into Christ (1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 6:1-23).
We Should Live For Jesus
Because Jesus died for us, we should live for
Him!
- "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 Cor. 5:14-15 14).
We are not our own; we belong to Jesus because
He bought us with His own blood. We should live
for Him, not for ourselves.
- "Or do you not know that . . . you are
not your own? For you have been bought
with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body" (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
Therefore we walk in the steps of our Savior,
Jesus Christ.
- "For you have been called for this purpose,
since Christ also suffered for you, leaving
you an example for you to follow in His steps"
(1 Pet. 2:21).
Conclusion
Jesus loves us so much He died for us. Therefore,
we should love Him and live for Him.
So, let's examine ourselves.
Do we love Jesus so much we're living for Him,
and not for ourselves (2 Cor. 5:14-15 14)?
And do we die for Him every day, because we
love Him so much (1 Cor. 15:31)?
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