“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 NASB
I can remember reading that verse and thinking that neither option sounded very good.
But, as I have grown spiritually, I have come to enjoy what is available to me in relationship with Jesus… and I am now connecting more with what is meant by “For me to live is Christ…” I think I am seeing it more clearly now. And the interesting thing is, connecting more with the “to live is Christ” part…is also shedding light on the second part of the verse.. “To die is gain.”
I am convinced that as believers walking on this earth, we are to be cultivating an ever increasing eternal perspective. Our point of reference is shifting from a temporal one to an eternal one. We are seeking to agree with God and align with Heaven. We are transformed. Positionally we are in Christ. We now have the mind of Christ. We have a new point of reference. We are actively yielding to the influence of the Spirit that dwells within us. We now walk in newness of life. We are different. We see with different eyes.
This difference in us causes us to more clearly see the appeal of the place we were made for…our ultimate destination.
I am relating better now to Philippians 1:21. “For to me, to live is Christ… and to die is gain.” Yes… I embrace it… and agree. May it be so.
David Hallum 