Living = Christ

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1v21



What is life? The Bible describes it this way, “It is like a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Since our human life is so fleeting and so transitory why do we have such a problem focusing on it instead of eternity? The Bible also instructs us to not look on the visible, temporal things, but instead focus on the invisible.

I think the problem is really simple, and it is a follow on to what we saw yesterday. Paul had determined that Christ would be glorified in His body whether in life, or death, or anything in between. How did he make that determination? What was the key?

Today’s verse is the answer. For Paul life did not equal popularity, prestige, possessions, power, or pride. Life equalled one thing – for Paul to live was Christ and Christ alone. All the rest of living with its work and leisure, good times and bad, ups and downs, and successes and failures was secondary. To Paul life was Christ, pure and simple. The problem too often is that life = me. That’s why we get angry and frustrated. That’s why we get hurt and slighted. If for me to live truly was Christ and not me, then none of this would really matter.

Life = me?
Life = Christ?

Which equation fits our lives? For the believer can there be any living other can Christian living?