Philippians 1:21-22, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.”
Paul was not consumed with life or death. His total ambition in life was to maintain his faithful witness to Christ and for Christ to be magnified, despite his own crisis of being in prison and not knowing if he would live or die. His own comfort was not as important to him as was advancing the kingdom of Christ, seeing things from an eternal perspective, and being a blessing to others.
I have recently returned from experiencing the tasks one must go through following the death of a parent. Frederick A. Van Loh passed this earth and entered Heaven on January 5, 2021. He was 94 years old. It only took fifteen minutes. Dad viewed death as a “gain” and had longed for it for some time. He was at peace with God. He was a pilgrim whose journey came to an end.
My Dad enjoyed studying God’s Word and had several Bible commentaries, “An Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words” by W.E. Vine, and numerous Bible study reference book tools. I was able to bring some of his books home with me for my personal use. I cherish these books which will be an ongoing legacy from my Dad to me.
In going through all of Dad’s belongings and starting the process of notifying accounts of his death, the following became very real, as it was to Paul, of life versus death:
- Awards and trophies won for success, prestige, and fame, are left behind upon one’s death. They are forgotten in Heaven and do not have any significance there.
- Money is used for living, and dying leaves it all behind.
- One’s power and employment are for this earth. That is left behind upon one’s death, and is replaced with streets of gold and heavenly rewards up in Heaven, if you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior.
If I am going to have joy, as Paul did, I must remember circumstances will become memories and get left behind upon one’s death on this earth. What is gained then has eternal significance and what is on this earth is elusive and unsatisfying. That is how Paul could maintain his joy and rejoice despite this uncertainty in his life, because of what He knew was awaiting him in eternity with Christ. The only way to rejoice and be full of joy despite our events in life, is to choose to remember Romans 8:28, and to have our identity solely in Jesus Christ. Christ must become the dominating power throughout our life on this earth. I seem to keep learning this lesson over and over. Paul had it down pat.
Paul was in prison, yet the message of Christ, the gospel, could not be imprisoned and prospered. Paul’s focus was to make Christ more accurately known, regardless if he lived or died. Either way, Paul knew he couldn’t lose. The Message states Philippians 1:21-22 this way, “Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose. As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do.”
Listen to Newsboys What I Want Them To Say (Lyric Video). May 26, 2017.