My 9-year-old Ugandan son and I often list the things he’s done the past few years—activities that he could not have done if he were still orphaned and living in extreme poverty. In his village, he never would have received a formal education, eaten sushi, gone surfing, read books, flown in an airplane, played tennis, or even had running water and electricity in his home.

My son’s life is radically different. His new life with me, though, can’t compare with what it means to experience new life in Christ. As believers in Jesus, we’re controlled by His love that prompts us to cast self aside and live for God and others. “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” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

When we belong to Christ:

• We don’t just have different circumstances; we are new people. The old life is gone; a new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:14,17).

• We stop evaluating others from a human point of view (2 Corinthians 5:16).

• We are reconciled in Christ, and He no longer counts our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

• We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:20).

• We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

• We are made right with God through Christ, who never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21).

As much as we shower our children with love, guidance, and material things, we could never be their all-in-all. Only God can be that—Christ alone. “All glory to Him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time” (Jude 1:25).

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jeremiah 36:1-32