2 Corinthians 5:11-17

11Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.

12Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.

13If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.

14Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.

15He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

16So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!

17This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!