Much to Gain

The apostle Paul faced a difficult dilemma. Although his letter to the Philippians contains many references to joy, Paul wrote it from prison where he was suffering for his faith and facing the possibility of martyrdom.

Torn between life and death, Paul reflected on his future prospects. It would be good if he lived on for a while and his ministry produced more fruit for the Lord. But if he died it would be even better, for death would usher him into the immediate presence of the Lord.

Paul sums up his point by saying, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

'To Live Is Christ . . .'

A one-word summary for Paul's life? Christ. His mission was to serve Christ. His model was to imitate Christ. His message was to preach Christ. His past was forgiven, his present filled with purpose, and his future bright with hope—all because of Christ. He understood the longing of ancient prayer traditionally ascribed to St. Patrick:

Christ, be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise, Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

Are we so devoted to Jesus that our lives could be summarized by the simple statement, "For me, to live is Christ"?

'. . . And to Die Is Gain'

What would Paul gain by dying? If we belong to Christ, what will we gain when we die? The book of Philippians offers several positive answers.

Paul would gain the joy of the Lord's presence. For a Christian death means "to depart and be with Christ" (1:23).

He would gain the joy of worshiping at Jesus' feet. What a great moment it will be when "every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (2:11). As the hymn-writer put it, "When by his grace I shall look on his face, that will be glory—glory for me!"

He would be free from emotional stress. Perhaps like Paul you know how it feels to be misrepresented by a jealous colleague (1:15), worried about a sick friend (2:25-30), concerned about the influence of false teachers (3:2, 18, 19), and disturbed by fellow-Christians whose quarrels are causing disunity in the church (4:2). Emotional burdens like these will be a thing of the past in Heaven.

He would gain the satisfaction of achieving his life's purpose. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (3:14).

He would gain a body that is whole, pain-free, and incorruptible. Like Paul, we eagerly await the return of our Savior "who . . . will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:20). In these transformed bodies there will be no more arthritis aches and no more clashes with cancer.

He would gain the joy of knowing he had helped others find Christ too. Paul calls the Christians in Philippi his "joy and crown" (4:1). Elsewhere he explains, "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy" (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20).

He would abide forever in the "peace of God, which transcends all understanding" (4:7).

A Magnificent Exchange

History tells us that after an extended period of ministry, Paul laid down his life as a martyr for his faith. Long before he died, though, he considered everything "a loss" and mere "rubbish" in comparison with gaining Christ (3:8). He rejected the value system that clutches desperately to worldly things that will soon pass away.

The Lord calls each of us to make the same magnificent exchange. "Give up everything and follow me," he says. But in the end we discover he has added far more to our lives than any sacrifice could subtract.