“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
Young Theophilus thought about the great Apostle’s statement. It sounded good, all except that dying for gain bit. It’s just that his father had died and Theophilus couldn’t see any gain in a cold body laying in a cold ground until the Lord finally got around to the resurrection. He knew that his father had been a godly man, who had lived his life and performed his ministry for the glory of God. At least, in his young mind, Theophilus thought his father had been perfect. Surely, there was some glory of God in that.
For Paul, the Apostle, his whole existence was summed up in giving glory to Jesus Christ. Although Theophilus had heard this wonderful servant of Christ preach on several occasions, he was still too young to comprehend the depth of this concept. On his next visit, he would ask Paul where the profit was in his father’s death. His family needed him. His son needed him. He was only 44 years old when he died. He had his whole life before him. It certainly seemed to Theophilus that somebody had made a grave mistake. After all, in his opinion, his father could have given so much more glory to Christ if he could have remained alive and preaching until he was old and gray. Why couldn’t he have lived to be 84? That certainly would have been another forty years of glory for God. What could he possibly have gained that was better than being with his family?
Who can’t identify with Theophilus. Like him, we might not comprehend all the facets of God’s sovereignty. And perhaps, our pastor cannot answer all our difficult questions. But we should easily grasp that despite our personal desires, a believer gains so much more in death than is possible in this life. If nothing else, we gain a release from the burdens of this existence that restrain us from fully glorifying Christ. Perhaps, though, it isn’t about sorting out the confusions in life. Could it be that the real issue is having the proper attitude? With the proper attitude, we can see the gain both in this life and the next. With the proper attitude, we will conduct ourselves “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (v. 27).
Dear Father, thank you for your mercy and grace and the Christ who provides it. O Lord, deliver us from the confusions of this life. Lead us in the paths of righteousness that we might truly glorify Christ in our lives and ministries. Empower us to truly glorify him both in life and in death. In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for Christ and live for his glory,