To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain
03/11/2025
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
- Philippians 1:21 NIV
The apostle Paul’s words in in this verse are some of the most powerful and challenging in all of Scripture. He pens these words from prison, knowing that his life hangs in the balance. Yet, there is no fear in his tone, no despair in his writing, only a deep and unshakable confidence in Christ.
Paul’s statement is a radical declaration of purpose. If he continues to live, his life will be spent wholly for Christ, preaching the gospel, strengthening believers, and glorifying God. Every breath, every step, every conversation is an opportunity to reflect Jesus. But if death should come? That, too, is gain because it ushers him into the very presence of Christ, free from suffering, toil, and the weight of this world.
What does it mean for us today to say, “To live is Christ”? It means that our life is not our own. We are called to be His hands and feet, loving as He loves, serving as He serves, and walking in obedience to His Word. What all this means is:
Christ is our source
He is the reason we live, the One who strengthens us and sustains us.
Christ is our purpose
Our decisions, relationships, and ambitions should be shaped by Him.
Christ is our joy
Even in trials, we find fulfillment in knowing and following Him.
Too many in this world live with a different motto: To live is wealth. To live is comfort. To live is success. But these pursuits, apart from Christ, lead to emptiness. Only when Christ is at the center does life truly have meaning.
For Paul, death wasn’t something to fear but something to anticipate. This was not a death wish but a heavenly perspective. He longed to be with Christ, where faith would become sight, and suffering would cease. For believers, death is not the end—it is the beginning of eternity in the fullness of God’s presence.
If we believe this truth, it changes how we live. We no longer cling to this world as if it is all we have. We hold loosely to possessions, grudges, and even our own plans because we know something far greater awaits us.
Paul’s perspective should shape our daily lives. If we live for Christ, our priorities shift.
We invest in eternity
Spending time in prayer, the Word, and serving others takes precedence over earthly success.
We live with boldness
Fear no longer controls us because we know that even death is not the end.
We encourage others
Our mission is to share the hope of Christ so others can have the same confidence.
What is your life centered around? If you had to fill in the blank: “For to me, to live is _______”, what would it be? Is Christ truly your life, or has something else taken that place?
If we live for Christ, then no matter what comes, life or death, we win.
Father, help me to live with the same passion and purpose that Paul had. May my life be completely centered on Christ. Teach me to let go of worldly concerns and embrace the eternal joy that is found in You. Whether in life or in death, may my heart be fully Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
- Philippians 1:21 NIV
The apostle Paul’s words in in this verse are some of the most powerful and challenging in all of Scripture. He pens these words from prison, knowing that his life hangs in the balance. Yet, there is no fear in his tone, no despair in his writing, only a deep and unshakable confidence in Christ.
Paul’s statement is a radical declaration of purpose. If he continues to live, his life will be spent wholly for Christ, preaching the gospel, strengthening believers, and glorifying God. Every breath, every step, every conversation is an opportunity to reflect Jesus. But if death should come? That, too, is gain because it ushers him into the very presence of Christ, free from suffering, toil, and the weight of this world.
What does it mean for us today to say, “To live is Christ”? It means that our life is not our own. We are called to be His hands and feet, loving as He loves, serving as He serves, and walking in obedience to His Word. What all this means is:
Christ is our source
He is the reason we live, the One who strengthens us and sustains us.
Christ is our purpose
Our decisions, relationships, and ambitions should be shaped by Him.
Christ is our joy
Even in trials, we find fulfillment in knowing and following Him.
Too many in this world live with a different motto: To live is wealth. To live is comfort. To live is success. But these pursuits, apart from Christ, lead to emptiness. Only when Christ is at the center does life truly have meaning.
For Paul, death wasn’t something to fear but something to anticipate. This was not a death wish but a heavenly perspective. He longed to be with Christ, where faith would become sight, and suffering would cease. For believers, death is not the end—it is the beginning of eternity in the fullness of God’s presence.
If we believe this truth, it changes how we live. We no longer cling to this world as if it is all we have. We hold loosely to possessions, grudges, and even our own plans because we know something far greater awaits us.
Paul’s perspective should shape our daily lives. If we live for Christ, our priorities shift.
We invest in eternity
Spending time in prayer, the Word, and serving others takes precedence over earthly success.
We live with boldness
Fear no longer controls us because we know that even death is not the end.
We encourage others
Our mission is to share the hope of Christ so others can have the same confidence.
What is your life centered around? If you had to fill in the blank: “For to me, to live is _______”, what would it be? Is Christ truly your life, or has something else taken that place?
If we live for Christ, then no matter what comes, life or death, we win.
Father, help me to live with the same passion and purpose that Paul had. May my life be completely centered on Christ. Teach me to let go of worldly concerns and embrace the eternal joy that is found in You. Whether in life or in death, may my heart be fully Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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