Life or Death
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Philippians 1:21-24
If you could sum up Paul’s thinking in as few words as possible - you couldn’t do much better than verse 21. It’s a remarkable statement that draws us to the heart of the Christianity life and the greatest challenge to the culture of our world.
It confounds that awful and now cheesy acronym, YOLO, which very few people say anymore but most still live by.
In the land of YOLO you must make the most of this life because there is nothing afterwards. But Paul reminds us that in Christ, death is actually gain. To be with Christ in the new creation is our great hope and a prize incomparable with anything to be found on this earth.
In the land of YOLO could there be anything more tragic than a Jewish peasant under Roman rule (oppressed and limited) who lost their Dad at a young age. Who then went on to give their life in service to others in great hunger, thirst and sleep deprivation. Only to then be crucified in their early 30’s. This is lunacy or tragedy.
But Paul says to live is Christ. True life is found in living as Christ lived. What looks a tragedy in the land of YOLO is actually the greatest of successes. So to is the life lived for Jesus, in service of others for the cause of the gospel.
But which should we choose? Whatever our preference might be, only God knows when it’s our time.
But do you see life the way Paul does? As time given to live like Christ? Do you see death like Paul says? As gain?
For Today:
Pray: Praise the Father for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Give thanks for Jesus who lived faithfully as the Christ and died for our gain. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others live as Christ in the land of YOLO.
Philippians 1:21-24
If you could sum up Paul’s thinking in as few words as possible - you couldn’t do much better than verse 21. It’s a remarkable statement that draws us to the heart of the Christianity life and the greatest challenge to the culture of our world.
It confounds that awful and now cheesy acronym, YOLO, which very few people say anymore but most still live by.
In the land of YOLO you must make the most of this life because there is nothing afterwards. But Paul reminds us that in Christ, death is actually gain. To be with Christ in the new creation is our great hope and a prize incomparable with anything to be found on this earth.
In the land of YOLO could there be anything more tragic than a Jewish peasant under Roman rule (oppressed and limited) who lost their Dad at a young age. Who then went on to give their life in service to others in great hunger, thirst and sleep deprivation. Only to then be crucified in their early 30’s. This is lunacy or tragedy.
But Paul says to live is Christ. True life is found in living as Christ lived. What looks a tragedy in the land of YOLO is actually the greatest of successes. So to is the life lived for Jesus, in service of others for the cause of the gospel.
But which should we choose? Whatever our preference might be, only God knows when it’s our time.
But do you see life the way Paul does? As time given to live like Christ? Do you see death like Paul says? As gain?
For Today:
- How do you see life?
- How do you see death?
- How could you live like Christ today?
Pray: Praise the Father for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Give thanks for Jesus who lived faithfully as the Christ and died for our gain. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others live as Christ in the land of YOLO.
Posted in Philippians
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