TUESDAY November 23, 2021

For Me to Live Is Christ, to Die Is Gain

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Philippians 1:21-24

This is my favorite Scripture for when I die: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. I love it. Can you apply this verse to your own life? Is your life lived for Christ, or is it lived for yourself? There should be less of yourself and more of Him! Living for Christ happens when there is a complete surrender––you die to yourself and live for Christ. As that happens, God will work through your life tremendously.

When Paul said to die is gain, what did he mean? In the Greek language, to die implies the state after death––a physical death. The moment Paul died, he knew he would stand in God’s presence. However, Paul was conflicted, “Should I go or should I stay?” He felt it was needful to stay so that he could continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet to die meant to enter eternity––to be with God forever––to gain eternal life.

May God keep me here for as long as He can if it is more needful for me to preach the Gospel. Then God can take me––whatever His will is for my life. One day, death will come; it will happen to all of us. When we die, we will be in God’s presence forever and ever. Either way, living or dying, we can rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

“It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their (the communists’) terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us. So everyone was happy.”
~Richard Wurmbrand~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!