Strength for Today

"To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). We have it all turned around. We think that to to live is gain. And so we work hard to gain this and that, more and more. But Paul says that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Living to gain more was never in God's plan. Living for Christ was. And so is dying. Dying is gain. Paul goes on to say, "To depart and be with Christ is far better" (v. 23). That does not seem to register with most people either -- even Christians. But God's Word is always right. That is why it is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. So, what do we gain when we die? Well, for starters, Heaven itself and all that goes with it. We gain the very presence of God, perfect knowledge, lasting joy, uninterrupted fellowship, reunion with our loved ones who have died in Christ, fantastic service projects, wonderful worship services, exploring the Holy City, reveling in a mansion built just for you, total freedom from pain, suffering, sorrow and death, visiting with God Himself, Jesus, the apostles, the prophets, and all of the great Bible heroes we have talked about for years, on and on the list can go, and does go. We must quit thinking of death as loss and think of it as gain. "To live is Christ and to die is gain."