To Die Is Gain

If you could have one wish, what would it be? After surveying multiple people, asking them that very question, I would imagine that the response would vary – fame, fortune, better health, a more fit body, peace in the world, restored relationships, reliving a particular time in life, etc. Can you imagine someone wishing for death? Not death as an escape from the struggles and pains of this life per se, but death being the ultimate joy – being with Jesus forever. I’m not so sure, quite honestly, that such a thought would even cross my mind if asked that question.

That’s certainly not the case with the apostle Paul. He once again reminds us of the supreme seat that Christ had in his life in Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Whether Paul was to remain on earth, his life here would be all for Christ. And if he were to lose his earthly existence, it would be far greater because he would be in the presence of the One he loved, served, and eventually gave his life for – Jesus. Paul had an obvious peace about his death because he understood by faith what lay on the other side of his life in the flesh. And he knew that nothing would change that. In Romans he writes,

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (8:35, 38).

Paul was secure in his standing with Christ. And this gave him strength in his current circumstances with the hope of glory undergirding him.

I have to be honest – death hasn’t been something that I’ve personally looked forward to, but everything in this verse tells me that I should. I should anticipate with great joy and hope life on the other side of this earthly existence. I think it is the reality of the unknown aspects of death that causes fear within me. Perhaps as well, I have failed to step back and consider the larger picture, keeping in mind that my quest really should resonate with Paul’s – to exalt Christ in all things. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – this life and the next is ALL about Him.

Bernard of Clairvaux seemed to understand Paul’s words when he penned the first verse of the hymn, Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee ...

Jesus, the very thought of Thee

With sweetness fills the breast;

But sweeter far Thy face to see,

And in Thy presence rest.

Father, grant us the grace to continually realize that there is more to this life than what we see around us. Help us to step back and gaze at the bigger picture, remembering that TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.