哥林多后书第五章第14—17节,保罗说基督对我们的爱是不可抗拒的一种力量,这种力量推动我们不再为自己活,而是为主耶稣基督而活,因为他为了我们的罪受刑罚死在了十字架上,这样我们众人在罪上也死了,从而得救永生进天国。因此,如果任何人是在基督里,他就是新造的人,旧事已过,所有的事情都已经变成新的了。保罗劝勉我们从今以后,不要再凭着一个人的肉体(即外貌)去认识他,因为他那个过去的他在基督里已经死了,现在有圣灵住在他的身体里,虽然肉体(即外貌)没变,但是他心里已经有基督的灵了,是天国的子民了。
林后5:14 原来基督的爱激励我们.因我们想一人既替众人死、众人就都死了.
For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.
林后5:15 并且他替众人死、是叫那些活着的人、不再为自己活、乃为替他们死而复活的主活。
He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.
林后5:16 所以我们从今以后、不凭着外貌〔原文作肉体本节同〕认人了.虽然凭着外貌认过基督、如今却不再这样认他了。
Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
林后5:17 若有人在基督里、他就是新造的人.旧事已过、都变成新的了。
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.