For to Me to Live is Christ

This statement is often quoted, and when I hear it, I ask, “Can you tell me where it is found?” As we can see, the text comes from the book of Philippians.

Philippians 1:21 (ESV) — 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

But don’t stop there because Paul is telling his readers how he can have such confidence to face death and consider it gain. Therefore, the entire paragraph must be considered to get the full impact.

Philippians 1:18–26 (ESV) — 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

The statement, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” actually flows from a heart that is devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, so much so that the confidence in our gracious Savior is such that if in His providence He says it’s time to come home it will be great; but until then the motivation is to live for Him, depend upon Him, and live life in such a way by the mind and heart of Christ that it is Christ who dwells and lives in Paul’s life.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) — 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Another way to look at this is living as in submitting to His control as our Lord and His great love.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 (ESV) — 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

You might say living in such a way is being motivated by God’s mercy as displayed in the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:1 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

To live as Christ will not go unnoticed. In fact, there are a multitude of blessings that God has instore for those who bring glory to His name by living for Christ.

Revelation 22:12 (ESV) — 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

As we anticipate the rewards that God has for faithful service, we are also taught that there are benefits in this life to living a sacrificial life in dedicated service to the Savior.

1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV) — 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Just as the commercial says, “wait there is more,” so it is when living a life that can be best described as reflecting the Lord Jesus Christ in all matters. As Paul looked at his dedicated life, he also could say that an aspect of blessing was to see Christ honored by others who were also willing to take up their cross and follow Him.

1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV) — 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

It comes back to the concept of living a life that reflects Christ by living under the control of His love. It changes our thoughts, attitudes, and desires to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ.

And in case you need any other motivation, here’s the reminder that as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you have been bought with a price, which is the price of redemption as He paid for your sins.

1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV) — 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

There you have the real background to the statement:

Philippians 1:21 (ESV) — 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Wouldn’t such confidence be great to face life or death? It doesn’t have to be a dream – it is a reality for those who take the Lord Jesus Christ seriously – His life, death, resurrection, His ascension, His reign as King, His coming judgement, and His tender care as our Shepherd. Do all these benefits motivate you? If not, maybe we need that wakeup call as found in Psalm 95:

Psalm 95:6–11 (ESV) — 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! 7For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, 9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. 10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” 11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.”

It’s today! Today is the right time to look seriously at the call of Christ to take up our cross daily, deny ourselves, and follow Him. Remember the blessing for those who follow Him ever so closely.

Philippians 1:21 (ESV) — 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Godspeed,

Bob Brubaker, Pastor

Christ Community Presbyterian Church

Clearwater, FL