If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
To some, accepting Jesus may mean little more than a free trip to Heaven. But we are reminded in these verses that our lives and our choices are not our own. Jesus has purchased us with His blood, and calls us to live for Him and submit to His lordship. So the decisions we make, and the things we do, must all be done subject to His will and His teachings for the sake of His glory.
At the same time, we are reminded that following Jesus isn’t just about what happens in this life. We often avoid thinking about our own mortality, but when we know Jesus, we need not fear death. Just as we belong to the Lord in life, we belong to Him in death. So we live this life and make our choices with eternity in mind because in Jesus we are promised everlasting life in His presence.