Christ Now. Christ Forever.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

If you have been around Christianity for any length of time, it is likely you have heard this verse: To live is Christ and to die is gain. It can become so familiar, it’s true meaning escapes us. What does it mean?

…to live is Christ…
The Apostle Paul, imprisoned during the period in which he wrote this letter to the church in Philippi, is communicating a simple fact: Christ is my life. If we were to paraphrase Paul further, he might say: “Jesus is not just part of my life or even most of my life; He is the entire substance and being of my very existence. Every part of it.” In the Christian life, Christ is not a a simple addition–He is the very foundation. His love, His grace, His truth, it’s all built on Him. It isn’t life + Christ. It’s life IS Christ.

…to die is gain.
Paul’s life was full of persecution and hardship, and yet, throughout his letter to the Philippians, his tone is joyful, calm, and purposeful. Paul isn’t looking at death alone when he makes this statement. He is looking beyond. What Paul considers gain in death is ‌eternity with Christ on the other side. To have Christ, all in all. To be with Him forever. All things new. Forever and ever, Paul worshipping the One he loves. 

Many scholars believe that Paul was only about five years away from martyrdom when he wrote what became the book of Philippians. On that day, two things happened. The life in Christ that Paul had lived came to its end, living evidence to this day of the power and peace of God. And also, he gained. He entered Heaven. He saw Christ, the One for whom He lived his life. His all in all. And He is with Him now. Worshipping. Praising. Adoring.