For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if one died for all, then all died; (15) and He died for all that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (16) Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. (17) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.

The second letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. Our verses today were written correcting the ambition and judgment of the Corinthians which was based on external appearances which they considered of more value than real sincerity. The point here is all NOT reborn by the Spirit should be considered as nothing by whatever accomplishments they may be distinguished. Paul had written earlier in chapter 5 that one of the motives for Christian living was the fear of judgment ALL face and now he introduces the primary motive; the love of Christ which compels us to seek holy (separate) living. This love that saved the faithful – so that we no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us and reconciled us to God that we may be delivered from judgment and brought into a new creation – forged a new relationship with God altogether. Christ’s death for all meant we might die to ourselves ; renounce ourselves and live to Christ. All seeking distinction and everything which man holds to be valuable in this world is vanity.

The prophets foretold there will be a new heaven and a new earth and Paul is setting forth the value of regeneration/rebirth in the Spirit. The old is passing away – of short duration; to everything there is a season. It is only the new man who inherits the kingdom of Christ. All things will be changed for the better. The faithful will pass out of death to life. They become a new creation and once the faithful are in Christ, they are in Christ forever.

All have sinned; all are in their human nature alienated from God; all are dead in sin and all are children of wrath. In faith alone, in Christ alone, we become a new creature changed in heart and life. Our sin is remembered no more and we are, in Christ, a child of God. We look not at things that are seen but things that are eternal.