Life and Death

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21)

This is probably one of the most quoted verses when studying Philippians. Most of us focus on the second part – to die is gain, meaning that when we leave this world, we gain the promises of Christ in the next.

Isaac Asimov tells the story of a rough ocean crossing during which a Mr. Jones became terribly seasick. At an especially rough time, a kindly steward patted Jones on the shoulder and said, “I know, sir, that it seems awful. But remember, no man ever died of sea-sickness.” Mr. Jones lifted his green countenance to the steward’s concerned face and replied, “Man, don’t say that! It’s only the wonderful hope of dying that keeps me alive.”

But for the vast majority of us the dying part doesn’t happen until we live many years here on earth. While those years are just a wisp compared to eternity, God has us here for a time for a purpose and a reason. We’re not to just bide our time waiting for the “gain” part to happen.

In this passage Paul was contemplating his future as he literally had life and death in his future. He was sitting in a Roman prison, arrested for his faith, uncertain of what his future was. He was debating whether it would be better to live or die,and writing what those options would bring him. While he understood that to die would bring him to Christ which he very much desired, but living would provide him the opportunity to continue to serve Christ on earth.

“But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” (Phil 1:22-24)

So what does it mean “to live is Christ”? For Paul, it meant that Christ was the origin of his life. His very reason for being, and you can tell that Paul sought to model Christ in all he did.

Christ must be the model of our life. We all follow someone or something. Consciously or not, we are always imitating somebody, and every true follower of Christ seeks to approximate to the measuring of the stature of our Lord. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18)

Christ must be the purpose and aim of our life. Events and circumstances of this life have no power over any of us who truly believe “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20)

Paul goal in life was to finish well. “None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Those who are prepared to die are the most prepared to live.

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(DISCLAIMER: I read several sources, commentaries, devotionals, etc., when I study the bible. Some of what I write is heavily inspired by what I read, and some sections may not be all my own words. I try to distill and paraphrase but there are way too many great writers who know the depths of God’s Word more than I ever will. i try to give credit where possible, and I don’t want anyone to think that everything I write comes straight from my brain – it’s all inspired by God and others He has chosen to write through. I encourage you to look to those who have also studied and written about Scripture, while at the same time remembering they are only men, and the ONLY true standard is the Word of God – everything written by me or any other human MUST be measured against that standard.)