For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
— PHILIPPIANS 1:21 —
Marco Bartholomae: European Bible Training Center | Germany
This verse explains everything that Paul was living for and was willing to die for. He was completely convinced that his future was secure in Christ. Nothing was able to separate him from his Lord and Savior, and even if he would die, he would finally be united with the most important person in his life—Jesus Christ. Paul truly longed for this wonderful moment, to be with Christ. But until then, Paul’s entire life—everything he did, everything he thought of, strived for, worshiped, and declared—was Jesus Christ. Go out and declare the precious name of Jesus Christ, who is truly man and truly God, and who alone is able to save sinners. His entire life, yes, the message of his life, was Jesus Christ and nothing else. Practically speaking, in the context, this meant that Paul invested his whole life into people. He did this so that they would come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior, in order that they would live a life for Christ alone and understand that death is truly gain. If you are a Christian, nothing can separate you from your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You can delight in the fact that if your time has come on this earth to pass away, you will be united with Jesus Christ, the most important person in your life. Until then, let your life be a shining light of Jesus Christ to all people. Go out and declare the precious name of Jesus Christ, who is truly man and truly God, and who alone is able to save sinners. Live a life that is worshiping and glorifying Him alone, because He alone is worthy of all our praise, here on earth and soon for all eternity.