“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). This is a very strong, personal testimony by the Apostle Paul. And when we study the life of the apostle we realize that every word of this statement is absolutely true.
It is most amazing that for one who suffered so much as Paul did, yet he was resolutely committed to live the Christian life to its fullest extent.
“Paul had suffered greatly (2 Cor. 11:24-28), so no one could blame him for wanting to go home to heaven and into the comforting arms of the Savior—his eternal reward (2 Tim. 4:7,8). Few of us would choose the beatings, suffering, persecution, imprisonment, and abuse he endured. However, Paul understood that people’s eternal destinations were much more important than his personal comfort and safety (2 Cor. 1:8-10, 4:8-18). That was why for him to remain here on earth meant to obey God and preach the gospel” (Dr Charles F Stanley, Life Principles Bible NKJV pg. 1428, Thomas Nelson Publishers).
Christians are assured that if they pass away before the Lord’s return, their place in heaven is guaranteed. And no one nor anything can take it away. Needless to say when the Lord returns, they also will be taken up to glory.
William MacDonald gives us another insightful commentary on Paul’s words. “Here, in a nutshell, is Paul’s philosophy of life.” Writes William MacDonald, “He did not live for money, fame, or pleasure. The object of his life was to love, worship, and serve the Lord Jesus. He wanted his life to be like the life of Christ. He wanted the Savior to live out His life through him. And to die is gain. To die is to be with Christ and to be like Him forever. It is to serve Him with unsinning heart and with feet that will never stray” (Believer’s Bible Commentary pg. 1963, Thomas Nelson Publishers).
Paul’s words should motivate and encourage believers to make it known that ”If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8).
Interestingly, Paul also said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
When a person truly comes to trust Jesus Christ as Savior, a far-reaching change takes place in that individual’s lifestyle, because as the text says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” The old self that we were enclaved to has been given a “death-blow.” Romans 6:6 explains: “We know that our old self was crucified with [Christ] in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”
The Scripture also states, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). When the Lord saved us, He did not take us home to heaven immediately. Rather, His intent was that we continue to live and represent Him in this sin-defiled world. Hence, one of the reasons Christians are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20).
Let’s consider what the text says: It is in Christ that a person is a new creation, and the old has passed away, and the new has come. “In [Christ] we have redemption … (Eph. 1:7).
Nowhere in the Scriptures are Christians promised a “problem-free” life. There will always be many challenges along the way. But Almighty God has promised never to leave us or forsake us. He says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
There are times when anxiety and negative thoughts confront us. And may cause us to wonder “where is God?” Our first reaction should be to perish the thought. Christians have the God-given power to overcome fear by relying on God’s Word and applying it.
The unconditional love and concern of God for His people absolutely assures us of His ever-abiding presence, His help, and sustaining grace.
Nothing can harm me when He leads the way;
Darkness or sunshine, whate’er befall,
Jesus the Savior, is my all in all.
—Leonard Weaver
A study of the life of the Apostle Paul, reveals that he never backed down from His total faith in God. He had absolutely no shame in suffering for Christ and His cause. Being “appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,” Paul said, “which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me” (2 Timothy 1:11,12).
And neither should we be ashamed when we suffer as Christians, for we know whom we have believed. Because of our love for Christ, we are more willing not to be ashamed to suffer for His cause.
Let us therefore be inspired to follow Paul’s example when he said “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).