To Live is Christ

“For me to live is Christ to die is gain.”

+Philippians 1:21

To Live is Christ

The apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while in a Roman prison in the 60s AD. His words seem to have been written just today. His message to the early church was to suffer well for Christ. The Christian life is filled with suffering. The question is not if we will suffer, it is when we will suffer. And we must suffer well. Paul’s pain was a springboard for the gospel message. His chains were meant to propel the gospel forward and to grow the church. Suffering has meaning for the Christian. Two weeks ago I was in an intensive Greek class. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. There was one day in particular I didn’t think I was going to make it and suffered a temporal depression. As I prayed, God reminded me of the truth of Philippians 1:21. I am called to suffer well. This verse was Paul’s anthem, his life statement if you will. He states, “For me to live is Christ to die is gain.”

To Die is Gain

For the persecuted apostle, physical death was a doorway to eternal reward. Dying had meaning because it meant living for Christ. Just as Jesus contended in Luke 9:23-24, to follow Christ is to live a life of self–sacrifice. It is not a life of comfort, ease and self-interest. Furthermore, in our modern American church culture we are taught that if we obey God we will accumulate more health, wealth and happiness. This is a false gospel. We must reject it! This deception has infiltrated many churches and the hearts of many pastors. The reward for the Christian is eternal life with Jesus in heaven, the greatest source of joy imaginable! Also, the Lord promises to strengthen his people in the midst of suffering. Brothers and sisters, we must suffer well for the sake of Christ and the spreading of the gospel. No matter what health concern, addiction or heartache you are facing, Christ will be your strength. Our present hope is rooted in future glory. And the good work God has begun in us will be completed at Christ’s return (Phil. 1:6). God finishes what He starts. Amen!