These words are from the apostle Paul in the Book of Philippians. This was the trumpet sound of his life. He was in a Roman prison when he wrote this letter. He didn’t know when or if he was going to die there. He says that if he lives, he can do a lot for the Lord. If he dies, he will be with the Lord. So he is torn between the two because there is great joy in both.
“OK, so what does this have to do with me?” you might be asking. It’s hard, as a teenager, to look past right now and see the future, let alone see eternity ahead of you. However, eternity stands before you whether you see it or not. One day, everyone will bow before King Jesus. Some will bow in joy. Some will bow in horrid sorrow. Everything ultimately will culminate in the worship of One: Jesus Christ.
How then can we handle this statement: “For me to live is Christ, and to die gain”?
If you are a Christian, when you think about your life, does it stand out to you and to others as a life for Christ? If not, pray.
When you think about dying, does it hit you with joy or with suspicion or fear? If it hits you with suspicion or fear, pray to your Father in Heaven that it would hit you with joy.
If our prayer is, “God, I want to say from my heart, ‘For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain'” how much will the goals of our lives change!
I think it is sad that so many American Christians, especially young Christians, do not want to talk about death. Death is the most certain thing that will happen to every human being, yet the topic is avoided often by American Christians. We, of all people, should be the ones most joyful at the prospect of seeing Jesus Christ face to face. That should fuel our longing that others come to know Him, as well.
Did Paul fear death? Certainly temptations of fear or anxiety passed through his heart, but he overcame them with thoughts of the glory of being with Jesus. He said, “Christ is worth more to me than life.” Is He worth more to you than life itself? Think about that. Pray about that.
How did Paul view life?
John Piper, a pastor in Minneapolis, Minn., says, “Christ is worth more than falling in love. Christ is worth more than marrying and having children. Christ is worth more than seeing my children grow up and become independent. Christ is worth more than making a name for myself. Christ is worth more than finishing my career. Christ is worth more than the dream spouse and the dream house and the dream cruise and the dream retirement. Christ is worth more than all my unfinished plans and dreams.”
Is that true for you? When you think of your future, do you think of living for Christ before where you’ll go to school, where you’ll work and what you’ll do, who you’ll marry and how many children you hope to have?
God, we want to say genuinely with Paul, “For me to live is Christ, and to die gain.” Work this in our hearts. We are weak creatures. Our eyes are so easily taken from gazing upon You, and we are brought to settle for following pop culture and what it says we should want. Help us. Help us be people who live for You, King Jesus. In Your glorious name, Amen.
