Christ Our Hope in Life & Death
by AJ Pearson
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21
This is a verse that is on my mind all the time. When I was in Ranger School, we would walk for hours, and we would not talk at all. I repeated this verse in my mind over and over just thinking of the implications of it. I wrote it on the inside of my hat so whenever I took it off, I would read it. I would daydream of ways this should look in my own life.
Paul wrote these words while imprisoned, most likely in Rome. In verses 12 and 13 he explains how his imprisonment had helped advance the gospel. Paul explains that his imprisonment impacted the Roman guards around him. When I read or meditate on this verse, I am forced to examine my own life and think of my own bodily death. Paul hits on two major aspects of life in one short sentence: what it is to live and what it is to die.
To Live is Christ
Paul says that for him “to live is Christ.” Gerald Peterman writes “Living is Christ because Paul’s life was spent in joyful and fruitful labor for Christ’s gospel.” Thinking about Paul’s sacrifice for the Gospel’s sake makes me reflect on my own life to see where I am failing in living a life for Christ and it convicts me to do better.
In the verses leading up to 21 we read of how Paul views his imprisonment as just another way the gospel has advanced. It became clear to the Roman guards that Paul was in prison for Christ’s sake. Paul’s boldness in preaching, even in prison, encouraged the brothers in the faith to preach more boldly (v.14). This is a great example of living for Christ. Upon reflection, I see that I fall short of this level of boldness daily. I realize that I ought to be more than willing to accept hardships, knowing that God, in his providence, can use whatever he pleases to advance the gospel.
“To live is Christ” brings to mind to several other verses where we read about living a life dedicated to Christ. In Romans 12:1 Paul writes “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Yet again I must look at my life and see where I am not living a life wholly devoted to our Lord.
Jesus himself says in Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” The kingdom of heaven is worth all we have. Again, to live is Christ.
Luke 9:62 reads “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Once we begin walking with Jesus, we have no business looking back. There is tremendous power in the concept of “to live is Christ” but the second half is just as rich.
To Die is Gain
When I read that dying is to be considered gain, I am blown away by what Christ has done for us. Paul shows us here that the presence of God far surpasses the pleasures of this life. When the end of my life is not something to fear but rather something to look forward to, I know I have something special in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 10:28 says “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell forever.” Even better, in John 10:28 Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Not only do we not need to fear those who may kill us, but we know that we have eternal life that cannot be taken away from us, thus death is gain. As I see glimpses of heaven from what God has revealed in his word, I look forward to the day I am in his presence worshipping him for eternity. Revelation 4 gives a great picture of what this might be like, the elders and creatures of heaven never ceasing to praise. Whether this is from my bodily death or when Jesus comes back for his Church, I await that day.
Philippians 1:21 convicts me that I need to live a life completely dedicated to Christ and his gospel, whether at work or in leisure, in hardship or in blessing. It also gives me complete peace over the proposition of my own bodily death.
To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
REFLECTION:
Are you living for Christ? What does this look like in your life?
Does the thought of dying bring you fear? Why or why not?
Are you looking forward to the day that Jesus restores all things? Read Revelation 4 and meditate on the hope for the future found in this passage.
Listen to the song Christ Our Hope in Life and Death as an act of worship