To me to Live Is Christ and to Die Is Gain

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21

    “To me to live is Christ.” He is the giver of life. By his will I live, and by his will I shall die. He is the sum and substance of life. Without him this worldly sojourn would be miserable. He is the hope of eternal life. He has prepared the place and us for the place and will come again to receive us, “Unto himself,” to be with him and to be like him.

    “And to die is gain.” I will gain release from this natural body of weakness, pain, and discomfort to a perfect body of strength and youth. I will be released from a sinful nature of shame, fear, and flesh to holy, sinless perfection; incorruptible and undefiled! Ignorance, doubt, and misunderstandings shall all be done away, and “I shall know as I have been known of him.” No more trials, troubles, nor sorrows; and no more death; unbroken fellowship and joy with our family of faith! Oh, the joys and peace in God's tomorrow!

    “For I am in a strait betwixt two.” I am hard-pressed between these two thoughts; either to live and labor (which may be better for you and those who benefit from my labor of love) or to die and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. If it is the will of God for me to live longer or to depart, it is not mine to choose. The decision is his and is both wise and good, whatever it be. “Lord, give me the grace to accept either way with wisdom and submission.”

“It is not death to die,

To leave this weary road,

And, with our family on high

To be at home with God.

Saviour, thou prince of life,

Your chosen cannot die;

We but leave a world of strife

To reign with thee on High.”