To Die is Gain

To live is Christ, to die is gain. What a provocative statement to make. To best understand this let’s look at what Paul was saying in context.

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. – Philippians 1:21-30 NKJV

What Paul meant by his opening statement, to live is Christ is that as a Believer our lives should be totally Christ-centered, fixating only on His Will and allowing Him to take control of our lives. For this to happen we must submit to Him as Savior and Lord of our lives. Many accept Him as their Savior, knowing they are in need of saving, but don’t want to give up control and make Him the Lord of their life. As a Christian we are called to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World (Matt 5:13-16 NKJV). We need to look different, talk different, think different, and act different from the rest of the world. We aren’t called to live an extra-ordinary life, but rather an EXTRODINARY life that points others to the Father.

Bro. Austin Chapman is the Youth Minister
 at Sugar Creek Baptist in Murray, KY and founder
of Inflamed Church Ministries. View Austin's
personal online ministry blog iPursueWorship.