For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil 1:21 (NIV)
Paul was in his early 30’s when he was knocked to the ground and blinded on-route to Damascus. For 30 years, he had lived life one way. He persecuted Christians, tried them in court, signed their death sentences and then watched them die believing he was taking a stand for righteousness.
And then, everything changed.
By the time he wrote to the Philippians, he was in his 60’s and had seen and done some incredible things. He was far way from where he started.
He was in a Roman prison and knew the end was near. For Paul, the chasm between life and death was shallow and thin. He saw Christ as being the connective tissue between the two. Present on earth meant present with purpose, hope and grace. Jesus.
Death brings a physical disconnection with this earth, but it also takes us to a more present connection with Christ.
He’s not so much making a statement about how to live as he is about how transcendent Jesus is. And this revelation was deeply personal to him.
The Message reads in verse 21:
“Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.”
We can’t lose. Not because we beat everybody, but because of Christ. He transcends death, sin, destruction. He exists in all the far corners of our earthly existence. And when our earthly existences ceases, we continue to exist with Him. He is above it all.
To live is Christ: It is being love and light in a world drowning in pride, despair and hate. Whatever God has put within you to do, do it with all the love and strength you have. This is the BEST way for the manifestation of Christ to leak out into the world. You are drenched in grace and gifted with peace – so go for it while you can.
Give this life everything you’ve got.
To die is gain: I’m still working on this one. Death is not a comfortable subject for me. But I know I am Christ’s bounty. His beloved. And whatever happens when I die, Christ will be there. We don’t have to fear the unknown because the one presiding over it is our Father, our Saviour, our Guide… And we can trust Him.
Just as Paul did.
There is nothing to fear, not in this life or the next.
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