”For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." -- Philippians 1:21
This is indeed a private personal statement Paul shared with us. It is important and often quoted by Christian’s. But what does it practically look like to completely live for Christ to such a degree we know in life or death we gain because of our relationship with Jesus? This will take us several post to fully explore.
Christ = life! Christ was the essence of Paul. His devotion to Christ and the grace of Christ are what made him tick. What makes you tick? Though most felt progress in spreading the gospel would be squelched when Paul was put in prison, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the exact opposite happened. Paul’s imprisonment would accelerate the spread of the Gospel. From prison, bound in chains Paul would tell us of joy and peace that abounded in Him. As he was pressed down the power of Christ radiated from him more. Paul was made complete in Christ. All he desired or needed was found in the life giving blood of Jesus.
At the beginning of the week, we started remodeling our office closet as we need space to store photo gear. I had been putting this off for years. It was packed with things I rarely used and in poor condition. In the seventy five years of the home’s existence I don’t think it was ever been given a face lift though the rest of the house had been remodeled and painted several times.
As I was standing on the ladder repairing the ceiling, an inspirational thought sparked relating to what I shared above. We all have closets in our lives including our hearts. Often we spend great time and energy beautifying what surrounds our closet without paying much attention to the condition within. As time goes along we pile more and more junk in. When someone comes to visit we scurry to clean up the outside and throw more junk in the closet.
It is when we are squeezed from the pressures of life that what we store in that closet comes seeping out. It is then we wish we had taken better care of our closet and stored in it life giving sustenance. A crucial step on the way to Christ truly being our entire life is storing His Word in our heart. It is from this closet we pray giving thanks in all things knowing “to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." -- Philippians 4:4-9
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