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How Many People Would Die For Us?
Bible study on Jesus.

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)?