“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
Our character is found in our ideals. The great Apostle expresses his ideal in this text. It is the passion of his life and ministry. It also explains the success he enjoyed. Paul simply understood his life in two alternatives. He could live or he could die. For him, the glory of Christ was most important in both. To remain among the living on this earth was to serve Christ for the benefit of others. To die and be with Christ was to gain his reward and eternal peace. In both cases, he would glorify Christ.
We all have the same two alternatives. We know that while on this earth our lives can have great worth, if we will serve Christ by serving others. It will give Christ glory and praise through the testimony of our lives. On the other hand, we know that to die in Christ is an eternal gain that we all look forward to. What an eternal rest! What eternal peace! No more frustration, no more aggravation, no more deprivation. What a day that will be! “No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye: all is peace for evermore on that happy golden shore.” We sing about it and we dream about it. But let there be no doubt about it. And let us be certain that cheap sentimentalism does not deceive us. Our death will only be a gain to us, if we live for and serve Christ while we remain here.
Dear Father, I praise you for calling me out of darkness into your marvelous light. I thank you for giving me a purpose in life and allowing me to serve you. Forgive me for all the times I have failed you. Remember my weaknesses, O Lord, and be my strength. Dear Jesus, empower me with the passion of serving you here that I might gain the reward of living eternally with you. And may both my life and death honor and glorify your name. I pray this in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for life and passionately live for his glory,
Pastor Smith