Chapter 1, Verse 21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
This is a well-known verse and often quoted. It follows Paul’s assurance in verse 19 to the Philippians that he believes the present scenario will turn out well. This verse offers a more personal insight into other possibilities. He’s been talking about the Philippians and their role now he looks internally. The close of the previous verse opens the door to an outcome of death rather than life.
We meet the real Paul in verse 21. Paul declares himself a winner whether he is set free or executed. Paul can do this because he has lost his life in Christ. If he continues to live and preach then Christ is glorified. We remember that his goal is to preach Christ and his crucifixion. Paul would be delighted to do that. At the same time, he doesn’t see dying as a loss to himself as it would put him in the presence of Jesus. Being with Jesus is his ultimate goal and from his point of view the sooner the better.
Our present culture sets a high premium on life and its goal is a long life. Unlike Paul, we fight death at every turn. This social value puts great pressure on the Christian who is dedicated to being in eternity with God. For Paul, dying was a goal not a thing to shun. We must ask ourselves why don’t modern day Christians feel this way? Paul knew something we have yet to grasp, perhaps. He says it, “To die is gain.”
Task for Today: This verse, this thought, requires more self-examination than we usually give the scriptures. In most cases we see ourselves as obeying the majority of things we believe the Bible teaches us that God wants. I challenge you to give it some real investigation. Do you really want to go to heaven? Today?
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