Bible Studies

2 Corinthians 5:15

Pastor/Teacher Roger Redmond

February 1, 2017

Good credit is a very valuable asset. It is based on one's payment history of debts and I think all of us do our best to pay our debts. Most of the time our debt is created for our benefit, in other words, we benefit from going into debt.

Definition of debt taken from Definitions.com:
something, typically money, that is owed or due.

"I paid off my debts"

the state of owing money.

"the firm is heavily in debt"

a feeling of gratitude for a service or favor.

"we owe them a debt of thanks"

We all owe a debt of gratitude to many people that Christ has sent into our life.

8808727. are people I owe a debt of gratitude and I am eternally to these I mention and the many not mention here: Dr Thames at Santa Rosa County Hospital: Our youngest Autumn was born while we lived in Milton, Fla. We had no insurance and he so graciously said, you don't owe me anything, the bill is marked paid. I owe him a debt of gratitude because it is a debt I can never repay. I owe my Dad and Mom a debt of gratitude. While in school studying for the ministry, they sacrifice to help me above and beyond their means. I remember Mr. Nelson sitting behind me one night in Church who offered me a 100.00, which I needed for my school bill. I owe him a debt of gratitude. I owe Dr. E.W. Johnston a debt of gratitude for his obedience to Christ in traveling and preaching the gospel. I owe a debt of gratitude to the ones who prayed for me. I owe Carl and Betty Souther a debt of gratitude for their friendship and sacrifice in moving us to Tennessee Temple. They stayed several days till we were able to finally move in Holly Hall. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Security Officer who stopped that Christmas morning and helped us get gas and get home. I owe David Zacharias a debt of gratitude for his kindness and help the night my car had left me stranded in Ashland Ohio. He went beyond the call duty. So many acts of kindness by so many I can't list them all but each one is remembered.

There have been a few along the way that we helped in the name of Christ and not near as many as those who helped us. I remember Ms. Brown, who wrote for years to thank me for her salvation and to apologize for how she treated me; the day I stopped to visit her. There is Patsy Davenport receiving Christ as her Saviour on a Saturday and the next day she and her four sisters were ready to ride the church bus to Sunday School. I have never forgotten that event and then one Sunday Morning later she went forward and confessed Christ as her Saviour and was baptized. In 1968 Jay was born at Erlanger and Margie was in a room with Sandra Brown who also gave birth to her baby. Margie shared the gospel with her and she trusted Christ as her Saviour. We never saw her again but later ( I don't know how long ) she wrote us about that experience of Salvation. I remember this lines in her letter, " I feel so clean on the inside and I went and was baptized again" .

We owe a debt of gratitude to Christ

Sin is a debt that requires a payment and the payment for that sin is death, "For the wages of sin is death....." Romans 6:23. From the beginning, this is seen as a truth of God's Word, Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. By some means you have to die for your sins! That is the truth which is laid out for us in 2 Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one, then were died for all all dead:

We have nothing in which to pay for our sin, Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

There is no price established for mankind that he might pay, Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Eternal life is the gift of God, Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life..."

It is"... through Jesus Christ our Lord." When Christ died on the cross you (all) are included in His finished work, John 3:16, Isaiah 53:4-6

If One did not die for all then all are not dead

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then

were all dead: 2 Cor. 5:14

When Paul saw that "One died for all then all are dead", he understood there was no goodness in him that demanded such love. It was the great character of our LORD and Saviour that gave such love. Paul understood that Christ was his Saviour and that He died for him and in Christ's death is salvation.

"If One(Christ)did not die for all (mankind) then all are not dead ." In the death of Christ God, the Father included all of mankind in the work of Christ, 1 Cor. 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

In Christ dying on the cross, He died for all the world and thus His death counted as your death which death is demanded as payment for your sin. 1Pe_2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

What is God's purpose for those who have believed

That we no longer live for our self, "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves,......" Only those who are saved have benefited from His death! Those who have been made alive by the quickening power of the N.B. In short anyone who trusted Him as their Saviour, Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Joh_11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Joh_14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Gal_2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

How should one live

As always the answer is found in His Word, read it carefully: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.2 Cor. 5:15

Have you benefited from the death of Christ? If so, who are you living for? Only two possible answers: you are either living for self or living for Christ.