“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21
Can you say what Paul says here? Has this become your perspective on life? It really should be, if Jesus is your Lord…
Paul wrote these words from prison. His earthly future was uncertain but his eternal future was rock solid in Jesus Christ. He would soon stand trial and perhaps be set free to once again travel freely and share Christ openly. Or perhaps He would be executed and join His Lord in Heaven. In the meantime, he loudly and proudly shared Christ with all of his guards. For Paul, to live was to serve Christ in the power of Christ. To die was to enter into Christ’s presence forever. To live is Christ and to die is gain!
How do you feel about living? Can you honestly say that your life is so tied into the mission of Jesus that no matter who you are or what you do for a living, you are serving Christ by it? This is the call for every Christian. To align our lives to the disciple-making mission of Jesus so that as we go about our day – working, studying, shopping, playing, hanging out, whatever – we are bringing honor, glory, and fame to the name of Jesus. As you grow closer to Christ and are transformed by Him to be more and more like Him, this is what He’s working to make true about you, if you’ll let Him.
Now, how do you feel about dying? Do you know – not just in your head but in your heart – that because Jesus is your Lord and Savior that dying truly is gain for you? Are you afraid of death or you confident that you truly will be in an infinitely better situation once you’ve finished your race here on earth and entered into glory? Again, as you grow closer to Christ and are transformed by Him to be more and more like Him, this confidence is what He’s working to instill in you, if you’ll let Him. #FollowJesus