To Die Is Gain?

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

The pastor mentioned this verse yesterday, and so I thought what a great idea for a devotional on a Monday morning! This must be one of the strangest statements in the Bible to those who do not believe in Jesus, Heaven, or an afterlife. Understanding this statement from Paul takes faith as we learn to not cling to this life and yet to rejoice in it at the same time. At this point, I confess to not being entirely successful on either count. There is much pain in this life and rejoicing always, as Paul says in another verse from the same letter, is not always easy or even possible in my strength. With hope in Christ though, the latter part seems much the easier...er, until it comes to the actual dying part at least. I am, as are most of us, somewhat concerned over what form that transition to the gain will take. It would be an unusual person who wants to suffer long in making that final journey to be with our Lord Jesus. Like you, I hope for a quick, peaceful, and above all, painless transition that causes the least sorrow for those left behind. And then there is that Rapture hope of ours that means none who believe would leave each other behind!

To die is to gain Christ the Lord in His presence forever, Immanuel!

Bucky