“That those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them.”​—2 CORINTHIANS 5:15.

1. What expression of gratitude have people made, and why?

‘THANK you! I owe you my life!’ People saved from a burning house or from drowning have said that to their rescuers. And appreciative Christian youths have made such an expression to their parents. They were referring not simply to the physical life received from their parents but especially to the loving care and instruction that put the youths on the way to receiving “the promised thing that he himself promised us, the life everlasting.”​—1 John 2:25.

2. In the light of what information should you consider the question, What will you do with your life?

² It was love that moved Jehovah God to make everlasting life, “the real life,” available to each one of us. “He loved us and sent forth his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins.” (1 Timothy 6:19; 1 John 4:10) Think, too, of the love that his Son Jesus showed in dying a painful death so that we might obtain everlasting life! (John 15:13) In light of the foregoing, What will you do with your life?

3. What often determines what people do with their lives?

³ Youths are often asked this question, in one form or another, by student counselors at school or others interested in their future. What will determine your answer? Will it be determined simply by personal preference? Will the deciding factor be the advice of those wanting you to achieve a secure position in the secular world? Or will what you do with your life be determined by superior considerations? The inspired reminder says: “He died for all that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised up.” (2 Corinthians 5:15) Yes, how fine it is when the way we use our lives reflects gratitude for what Jesus Christ and his heavenly Father have done for us!

13. (a) What readjusted viewpoint did Peter express? (b) What is involved in being a true Christian?

¹³ Even Jehovah’s servants at times need to readjust their thinking. Peter needed to, and with a readjusted viewpoint, he wrote: “In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely.” (1 Peter 2:21) Living a true Christian life involves self-sacrifice, yes, even suffering. It is not an easy course, but it is the one to which we were called as Christians. Accepting it involves ‘no longer living for ourselves, but for him who died for us.’ (2 Corinthians 5:15) Keeping in view good role models will help us to use our lives in this self-sacrificing way.