Paul wrote of the importance of a transformed life: “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” ( 2 Cor. 5:14,15).

Paul continued on the same subject: “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (v. 17).

Along with the new life comes a new responsibility: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (v. 20).

Why did Jesus Christ undergo such humiliation and suffer a horrible death on the cross? The answer is plainly revealed: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (v. 21).

Jesus was not looking out for His own interests, but rather for our interests. He knew that we needed redemption, and He sacrificed Himself so that we could be freed from the penalty of sin.

We who have believed in Christ should live lives that are profoundly different from the pattern of the world around them. Christ saved us so that we would no longer live for ourselves. Let us follow Christ’s example of humility and service and endeavor to be effective ambassadors for Christ in this fallen world.