“To Die is Gain”

“²¹For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²²If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” – Philippians 1:21-23 (ESV)

Yep, it is true, I will gain more in death that I will here in life. In death, as Paul indicates in verse 23, it is far better for me as I will now be with Christ. I will be without affliction and will be in glory for the rest of eternity. I will be celebrating the glory of God and will no longer be a slave to that which is of this world.

Now, I want to be clear, that I am not by any means advocating for death as the alternative to suffering in this world. My suffering is for the LORD and not for myself. As Paul indicates as well in verse 22 and in verse 24 (not listed), it is good for me to stay here in this world and do the work for Christ for myself and for the advancement of the gospel in this world. So, I have to stay here and continue the work that God has for me.

It is however hard not to think of what is to come. It is in anticipation of the glory of heaven that I must continue in the work here and look forward to the gain I will receive once my time here is done. I know that I will gain more in death than I will experience here in life, yet it is in this life that I am able to continue the work.

My work here as I study and write is important to Christ. I am advancing His Word each morning as I continue to study His Word and learn for myself. I am living for Christ. I am fruitful in my labor. I am taking righteous actions and when my time in this world is done, I gain in death.

What is your view of life and death? Are you gaining more in life or in death? What if you know that in death you gain far more, yet also know that your work in this life is not done and that you still have the advancement of the gospel and the work assigned by God to complete?