To live is Christ and to die is gain.
I have had the privilege of reading this for a few folks who are in the hospital. Some of you may find this an odd text. Normally you would expect a psalm or a passage that gives some kind of bigger picture for your suffering. You want a passage that is going to give you hope or promise you healing. Usually I will read such a passage. But for some I do not.
Where I am convinced that a person has a saving faith, and there is great doubt about the outcome, I read Philippians 1:21. Where I believe the person has a solid understanding about God’s real plan for life, and is soaked in the word I read: "To live- Christ; to die- gain."
You see, Paul was on trial for his life. He knew that outcome, as far as human understanding goes was in doubt. He did believe he would probably be saved from death, because he could see and believe that he still had a role to fulfill. To remain alive, he knew, was Christ. “To live- Christ” means that he understands the real goal of life is to become like Jesus. Becoming like Jesus means that you begin to reflect his character. You show his love, grace and mercy. You are patient with people, and walk humbly with your God. Life, if we live with the right attitude can make you better or it can make you bitter. The difference is your perception of the purpose of life.
Most of us live life like this: "To live is gain, and to die, Christ."
Peter did not spend his life healthy, wealthy and happy. He died upside down on the cross. If the "Name it and claim it" crowd is right, I guess he must have been sinning when before he died, because that’s the way lapsed believers die. God wants us healthy, wealthy and happy.
Paul didn’t spend his life healthy, wealthy and happy. He spent it on the run, getting beaten, stoned to death, and ship wrecked. He apparently had some type of eye conditioned that remained with him throughout his ministry years. He ended his life poor cold, sick and wretched, then ushered to an executioners block. I guess he forgot to name and claim a better life for himself. Or he didn’t really believe when he tried to speak it into existence.
I guess Peter got his theology messed up in 1Peter. He keeps talking about suffering in that book. That’s not really God’s plan if we are to be healthy wealthy and happy. Peter was just in error I guess.
John was on the “Rock” of Patmos. He forgot to name and claim his way to wealth out there I guess. He must have been a lapsed Christian.
Of course all this is just baloney. Peter, Paul and John weren’t lapsed. These false teachers don’t read their Bibles and then hope that you don’t either. They hope you send them “seed money” so they can buy fancy cars, theme parks, and dodge taxes. They promise that if you do, you’ll be rich too….if you have enough faith.
Gain.
We have bought into a lie of the world that says, “if you take on a Patron, whether a god or a corporation, it should be ‘I’ll scratch your back and you’ll scratch mine.’” That’s what we have come to believe God is for. We are here for gain. We are here for God to please us and serve us and do right by us. We will scratch your back God, if you will scratch ours. And that means gain. "That’s your job God!"
“God is good” if he stops a few bullets with a pocket bible. “God is good” when I get a deal on a car repair. “God is good” if he keeps the secular bullies off my back. “God is good” when he keeps some cash in my wallet. We’ve sure got it backwards.
Life is suffering. That’s what Peter taught in 1 Peter 4:12: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” In other words, it should be “normal” for us to experience trials, and not a surprise. Paul taught this world was the domain of Satan, and that those who “live godly in Christ will suffer persecution” (2Tim 3:12). Jesus taught that to love the world is to be at enmity with the father and that wealth rusts, and clothes rot.
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