Everyone has experienced the heartbreak caused by the death of a loved one. For Christians and those who argue against Christianity, questions are raised about the love of God and the Lordship of Christ. When good people die, it is offensive and easy to place blame at God’s feet.
In Philippians 1:12-30, the Apostle Paul prepares the saints in Philippi for his looming death at the hand of Nero, the Roman Emperor. Of all times to be thinking about himself, Paul was burdened by the sadness and discouragement the Philippians would feel upon the announcement of his execution.
Paul assured the Philippians that everything that had happened to him served to advance the gospel. Paul reveled in telling Roman guards and Nero’s servants about Jesus. Can you imagine the effect of Paul’s words on those who knew that Paul was a “living” dead man? Paul’s imprisonment and future demise were evidence of the truth he proclaimed about putting one’s faith in Jesus.
Paul thanked the Philippians for their supportive prayers and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He declared that Christ would be exalted in his body, whether by life or by death. In this declaration, Paul lifted the eyes of the Philippians to be fixed on Jesus’ Lordship over all things, even “bad stuff” that happened to Christians.
The heart and pulse of this scripture passage are found in verses 21-24:
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard-pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
For Paul, his union with Christ was intact, regardless of Nero’s decision to either free him from imprisonment or to put him to death. Paul firmly believed that he was in a win-win position. In this, Paul was teaching the Philippians that when doom or death loom to overtake them, their union in Christ is their win-win position. This truth is also applied to all who are in Christ and, therefore, applied to us!
Pastor Paul offered a story from his own life to illustrate the power of Paul’s statement: For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. He told the story of his maternal grandfather, Howard Hawk who was a follower of Jesus, a patriarch of the family, a devoted churchman, an ambassador of Christ in the workplace, and a helper of the elderly in the community of Lower Burrell. Grandpap Hawk had all the outer marks of being a Christ follower, but what made them authentic was his devotion to God’s Word, as evidenced by his daily reading of God’s Word with Grandma Hawk every evening and his audible and unceasing prayers. Jesus taught us that what comes from our mouths flows from our hearts. (Mt 15:18) Pastor Paul reflected on the sorrow felt when Grandpap Hawk’s health became unstable, and his death was imminent. The family prayed for God’s will to be done, desiring that he continue living. In Jesus’ arms, Howard Hawk fully knew the joy of Paul’s assertion, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
In conclusion, Paul explores the profound meaning of life and death for Christians in Philippians 1:21. This verse encapsulates the Christian perspective on life's purpose: to glorify Christ in all circumstances. It also reveals the Christian view of death as a transition to something far better - eternal presence with Christ.
It's a great day to live the Gospel!
God willing, we hope to see you on Sundays!
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