It could sound to some like Paul is tired of this life and is looking forward to death. Life certainly wasn’t easy for him. He was persecuted, shipwrecked, beaten, at times poor, and was imprisoned. But Paul is not looking to escape this life. He is happy to live because he doesn’t live alone and he doesn’t live without reason. But he is also not afraid of death. Death will bring an end to his suffering and he will be face to face with the One for whom he suffered.
To Live Is Christ
As Christians, our lives are all wrapped up in Jesus. Our every breath comes from Him (Acts 17:25), our salvation is found in Him, all grace and power to overcome sin and temptation lies in Him. His Word is the rule and guide of our lives and His Kingdom is our inheritance. True joy is found in Him. Confidence and comfort are available to us because of Him. He freely gives wisdom to those who ask, and He listens to every request we bring before Him.
To live is Christ.
So we need to ask ourselves… Do I live in a manner that is worthy of this gospel news? (Phil. 1:27) Am I thankful and joyful? Am I eager to spend time with this wonderful Savior who withholds no good thing from His children? (Ps.84:11) Do I stand firm during hard days because of Who holds my life? Am I living a Christ centered life?
To Die Is Gain
If your life is Christ then your death will mean gain.
You can’t lose. To live means you get to see God at work in your life, restoring His image in you, fitting you for His eternal Kingdom. As long as we live we get to be a part of God’s redemptive story. But life is hard.
Death means the end of all our misery, sorrow, hardships, and pain and marks the beginning of unending joy, indescribable worship, perfected relationships, and life before the face of Christ.
Death is the curse of God for sin, but because Jesus became a curse for us on the cross, death becomes a doorway through which we enter into the welcoming arms of our God. By becoming a curse Jesus proved Himself to be the cure. And just as death could not hold Jesus, it cannot destroy us.
To live is Christ and to die is gain should be the truth that brings contentment to our days and peace to our nights.
Looking To Jesus,
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Our lives are wrapped up in Jesus. Oh! How I needed to hear those words.
Oh Jen!! I’m walking out the “hard” stuff right now so these words grabbed me “You can’t lose. To live means you get to see God at work in your life, restoring His image in you, fitting you for His eternal Kingdom. As long as we live we get to be a part of God’s redemptive story. But life is hard.“ I found hope here that as long as I continue to put Him as the head this time will just become part of my story and the redemptive work He will so in me ?
We are His?, theres nothing that we have that He hasn’t given us. Therefore I choose to live my life worthy of Him. He is the vine and we are the branches so we are an extension of His love to the world. Without Him , I am nothing, with Him ive got everything I need
I am thoroughly enjoying this study, God is so amazing giving us insight into the Bible and what He wants us to glean from our study. Jesus died for US, He LOVED us so much that He wants to help us understand His word. These studies help us to help others understand and grow.
This devotional touched the core of my heart this morning! God winked at me and reminded me of eternal life… two nights ago, a friend from Church who would always sit next to me every Sunday passed away. I’m still in shock!!! Our time on earth is limited and we are just traveling thru … we’ve got a mansion waiting for us in Heaven and our tomorrows are not guaranteed… to live is Christ and to die is gain. This was comforting for me to read today and I know my Church friend was finally embraced by our Abba Father … I’m praying for his wife tonight. I also know the Lord is near the broken-hearted.
If Christ is my life, then my death means gain.
With Jesus there’s nothing to lose. Nothing at all. This is truly as a result of His AMAZING GRACE!!!
I truly am grateful that I can participate in the study of Phillipians with other women who love God greatly ❤