When we have reached the conviction that since One died for all, all died, three things happen:

1. We no longer live for ourselves but for Him Who died for us (2 Cor 5:15).
2. We no longer look on anyone, including Jesus, "in terms of mere human judgment" (2 Cor 5:16).
3. We are impelled by love rather than motivated by a mixture of fear, pride, and pressure (2 Cor 5:14).

Obviously, reaching this conviction of Jesus' death and our death with Him is one of the most important breakthroughs in a person's life. Every Christian should have this realization, but clearly many do not, or we would live no longer for ourselves.

Right now, ask the Holy Spirit to take you to the cross. Through the cross, the world will be crucified to you and you to the world (Gal 6:14). The Spirit will confirm, as only He can, that we who have given our lives to the Lord have been crucified with Him (Rm 6:6) and thereby have crucified our flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24). We can "reach this conviction" only by the Spirit. When we do, we become a Christian not only in name but in attitude, motivation, and goals. We live no longer for self but for Jesus.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005

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