βDelivered unto death for Jesusβ sakeβ (II Cor.Β 4:11).
There is much that we all do for our own sake, for the sake of our children, our loved ones or others, but the real test of the believerβs love for the Lord is what he does βfor Jesusβ sake.β
Under the dispensation of Law our Lord told His disciples that to be forgiven they must forgive: βForgive, and ye shall be forgivenβ (LukeΒ 6:37), βbut if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespassesβ (Matt.Β 6:15).
But now, under the dispensation of grace, He exhorts us to forgive one another βeven as God for Christβs sakeΒ hathΒ forgiven youβ (Eph.Β 4:32). The difference is striking. Before the cross: If you would be forgiven, forgive. Now, in the light of the cross: You have been graciously forgiven for Christβs sake. In the light of this be tenderhearted and forgiving toward others.
And we are to go farther than this: Not only are we to forgive our brethren in Christ, but we are to be prepared to show this attitude toward the world as well. St. Paul said: βFor though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto allβ (I Cor.Β 9:19), and referring to his persecutions by unbelievers, he said: βWeβ¦ are always delivered unto death for Jesusβ sakeβ (II Cor.Β 4:11). How many unbelievers would be won to Christ; how many of our Christian friends would be strengthened and helped, if we adopted this attitude toward others!
As to suffering itself, the Apostle also gladly bore this βfor Jesusβ sake.β In writing to the Corinthians, he said: βI take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christβs sake; for when I am weak, then am I strongβ (II Cor.Β 12:10). He had learned that in weakness he leaned the harder, prayed more, and was brought closer to His Lord, and herein lay his spiritual strength. source
