Yes, Paul teaches that believers who have received eternal life are to live for Christ, not for themselves.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:15 that Christ died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again. Les Feldick emphasizes that this is the Gospel and that grace is not a license for careless living; rather, it creates a love-driven obligation to please Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:15 — This verse directly states that believers are to live for Christ because He died for them.
In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul explains that Christ's love compels believers because they know that one died for all, meaning all were dead spiritually. Verse 15 then says, "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." This is a clear call for those who have received life through Christ to live for Him, not for their own desires. The Gospel—Christ's death, burial, and resurrection—is the foundation for this new way of living.
Les Feldick repeatedly points to 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 as a key passage showing that eternal life changes a believer's purpose. He emphasizes that grace is not a license to live as one pleases; rather, because of God's love and forgiveness, believers should want to please Him in response. This is not about law-keeping for salvation, but gratitude and obligation to Christ who died and rose again for them. Les connects this to the 'old Adam' being crucified, freeing believers from sin's power, yet they remain in the world to live out that new life day by day.
According to Paul, Christ died for all, indicating that every human was spiritually dead. Those who receive eternal life through faith are now alive in Christ and are called to live for Him who died and rose again. This is not optional but a natural response to Christ's love and sacrifice.
No. Les Feldick teaches that grace is not license. Even though believers are declared forgiven and justified, they are not to live as they please. Instead, grace brings a love requirement and a debt of gratitude that motivates them to please God in all things.
The Gospel—that Christ died, was buried, and rose again—is the foundation for this new life. Paul frequently reminds believers that because Christ died for them and rose again, they are to live for Him. This is evident in 2 Corinthians 5:15 and other passages.
Why the Gospels Aren't for the Church — 2 Corinthians 5
I can understand, because I'll tell you what, they're not used to it. And Peter was in the same boat. He said, look, I can't comprehend this, that God is going to save this multitude of Gentiles without us Jews. That was Paul's message, see? And so he says, in Paul's epistles are some things hard to be understood, even at that late date. He just couldn't comprehend it. And then he says, "...
Grace Is Not License
Les teaches that being saved does not give believers permission to live as they please; instead, it creates a debt of love and a desire to please Christ.
Paul's Gospel Applied
Les connects 2 Corinthians 5:15 to Paul's Gospel, emphasizing that believers should live for Him who died and rose again, as this applies to all believers in the Age of Grace.
Romans 6 & The Old Man Crucified With Christ — Finally Explained
All through his epistles, this is what he keeps hammering home, that Christ died for our sins, and that as He died, we have to die, Ephesians 2, verse 1, and out of that death we get new life, eternal life. It's not going to be just for this life, for this 70, 80, 90 years, but forever. All right, Ephesians 2, verse 1, and see how this all fits together, where now he writes again to believers.
The Gospel in 2 Corinthians 5
Les highlights how the Gospel—Christ's death and resurrection—is the reason believers are to live for Christ rather than themselves.
Crucified with Christ
Les explains that old Adam is crucified, breaking sin's power, and believers now live by faith in Christ, facing daily pressures but living for Him.
The Gospel Motivates
Les notes that the believers in Corinth had recognized and believed the Gospel, which is what made them what they were—people who live for Christ.
Old Adam Dead, New Life Begins
Les teaches that identifying with Christ's death leads to new life, and that eternal life begins now, giving believers a new purpose to live for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:15: 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.
This is the key verse directly stating that believers are to live for Christ, not themselves.
2 Corinthians 5:14: For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
This explains that Christ's love compels believers, and that all were spiritually dead, making His death necessary.
Romans 6:9: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
This reinforces the truth that Christ is alive and believers live with Him, supporting the call to live for Him.
It means that because Christ died for all, those who believe in Him should live for Him, not for their own selfish desires. This is a consequence of receiving eternal life.
No, Les Feldick teaches that grace is not license. Believers are forgiven and justified, but that should motivate them to live in a way that pleases Christ out of gratitude, not to live carelessly.
Because Christ died and rose again for believers, they have a new life in Him. Living for Christ is a response to His love and sacrifice, and it reflects the new relationship they have with God.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Gospels Aren't for the Church — 2 Corinthians 5