“For Me to Live is Christ”
And to die is to Live Again
Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
One subject that we don’t enjoy talking about is death. We want to talk about life and having it more abundantly. The Apostle Paul had a different perspective on life and death. He said, “For me to live is Christ and to die that is even better.”
The Apostle Paul lived in the light of eternity. He made decisions based on eternity.
We also should determine to live and make decisions to experience a life of no regrets.
As I reflect on my life over the years I’m thankful I made the decision to become a Christ follower.
I’m thankful, although I fought it for a year that I made the commitment to go into full time Christian Ministry.
I’m thankful God led me to date and marry a committed Christian willing to partner with me in ministry.
I’m thankful I made the decision to surrender my all to Jesus and do His will above my will.
My prayer is that every one of you will make the commitment:
I. Live Your Life to Honor Christ.
With the Apostles Paul you can make the commitment and say: “For me to life is Christ…” Jesus calls us to live a Christ honoring life.
It’s amazing that in the divine providence of God He created everyone with the ability to control his or her own life. Thee are two things you have no control over, your birth and your death. You do have control over the dash in between your birth and death. People who died have the date listed 1940 – 2009. What happens during the dash for the most part is up to each individual.
Bad things may happen that we don’t have control over, but we do have control of how we react or respond to what does happen.
The Psalmist prayed, “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
My mother had a great dash in her life. My mother was born 1907 and died in 1969. She was 62 years old. Most of my mother’s dash was a life of faith. She left a legacy of faith for her family. She lived and taught a “Can do” attitude. My mother lived a Christ honoring life.
Why is it that many people don’t seem to care about the dash ----------? Their attitude is “Whatever will be will be!” “Why change – I’m doing just fine.”
Jesus said that He came as the Light of the World, but people choose to live in darkness. “Satan, the god of this evil world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
Satan blinds the spiritual eyes of people. Jesus came as the Light of the world to give spiritual sight to all who receive Him and honor him as Lord of all.
Right now you are in control of the dash in your life. Decide to follow Jesus and honor him with your dash.
The story is told about a guy who went to the doctor to get the results of his annual physical. His doctor met with him and said, “I’m sorry, Bob. I’ve got some bad news for you. The tests show that you have a terminal disease. You only have six months to life.” Bob let the news sink in and asked, “Is there anything I can do, any experimental drugs or treatment? There has to be something I can try? The doctor thought for a moment and said, “Thee is one thing. You can move to the country and buy a pig farm and raise pigs. Then you can find a widow who has fourteen or fifteen kids, marry her, and bring all of them to live with you on the farm.” Bob looked puzzled and said, “And that will help me live longer?” The doctor said, “No, but it will seem like the longest six months of your life?”
II Live in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus told his followers that after He departed He would send the Holy Spirit to empower them to live a life of victory. In their own strength the disciples doubted, they experienced jealousy, envy, competitive spirit and fear. On the Day of Pentecost they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and were filled with the love of Jesus and became bold witnesses of the risen Christ.
The story is told about a mountain man who was clearing trees to build a house. He used an axe and cut down several trees a day. He heard about a special chain saw at Sears that was very effective in cutting down trees.
He went to Sears and asked about the chain saw. The salesman told him the saw would more than double the number of trees he could cut down in a day compared to his axe.
The man purchased the saw and used it for several days. He brought the saw back and said he wanted a refund. The saw was not cutting down more trees than with his axe.
The salesman took the chain saw and pulled the cord and the saw started up with a great buzz. The mountain man jumped back and cried out, “What did you do?” He had been cutting without the power turned on.
Without the Holy Spirit at work in your life you are in effect saying, “For me to live is “me” instead of “for me to live is Christ.”
The person who lives by the motto, “For me to live is “me,” is bound to fail. The fact is that failure often helps us to be open to the good news about Jesus.
After the arrest of Jesus, Simon Peter denied Jesus three times. On the third time of his denial Jesus looked at Peter and Peter remembered that Jesus had said, “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times.” Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly. Luke 22:61-62
Out his failure and crushed spirit, Peter had a new start. Peter saw the “Look” of Jesus, a look of compassion and not condemnation. The look was all that it took. Out of a crushed spirit Peter had a new start.
From the example of Peter we know that failure is not final. Failure can be a blessing. Failure gets our attention, and helps us be open to change. The Proverb writer said, “People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Failure may serve as a wakeup call. From time to time we need to realize that the things of this earth do not satisfy. Everything this world offers is only temporary. Only Jesus gives us hope for eternity.
III. Live passionately and Love Completely
“For me to Live is Christ and to die is gain.” Means we live passionately and Love Completely.
Make your family relationships the top priority for your life. Healthy family relationships are more important than money. When everything else fails you still have your family.
You keep healthy family relationships when you can say from your heart and mean it, “I love you.” “I’m sorry please forgive me.”
You keep family relationship healthy when you are always ready to give flowers, give praise and apologize.
Forgiveness is not an option if you are going to maintain healthy relationships. In a couple training sessions I had in learning to scuba dive the instruction told us to keep breathing through our mouth and never hold our breath. In the Christian life we keep forgiving and don’t’ stop.
To keep healthy relationships you need to learn to love EGR people, Extra Grace Required. EGR people are like sand paper. They continually rub you the wrong way and irritate you.
EGR people can be see as different tools.
They are like a measuring tape – you never measure up.
They are like a hammer – hard headed and manipulate others.
They are like a knife and cut you down.
They are like vice-grips, and won’t let go.
They are like grinders and send sparks flying with criticism, always grumbling and complaining.
They are like putty with no backbone.
They are like chameleons always changing.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:3-5 paraphrased, “Don’t be a constant fault finder. Do not judge or condemn. Look to the Lord and not people.”
To live passionately and to love completely means we are committed to living a life of integrity through and through.
I read recently a true story about a man and his girlfriend who went to a fast-food restaurant. They bought a bucket of chicken to take on a picnic, but the cashier mistakenly gave them a bucket of the day’s receipts. Whey they arrived at the park and opened their bucket, instead of drumsticks and wings, they found eight hundred dollars. They immediately drove back to the restaurant to return the bucket of cash.
The frantic manager was so relieved when the couple walked in and returned the eight hundred dollars that he said, “Let me call the newspaper. We want to get your picture in the local paper because you are one of the most honest people I have ever met. The man quickly responded, “Oh, no, no, no.” The he leaned over and whispered to the manager, “I don’t want our picture in the newspaper because, you see, this woman I’m with is married to someone else.”
Living a life of integrity means you are honest in all areas of your life. The Holy Spirit is able to work in His cleansing power in the deepest parts of your life. I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all sin and make us completely pure.” RWE paraphrase
On one occasion Jesus asked a lame man an interesting question: “Do you want to get well?” Total cleansing can only happen to those who have a “want to” attitude. “Yes I want to be healed and set free from my affliction.” “I will turn from my co-dependence and totally rest on the Lord. I surrender not just a part. I surrender all of my heart and life to honor and glorify the Lord.
IV. Leave a Lasting Legacy
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” When we come to a place in our lives that we are willing to die out to self we are ready to live.
Paul testified in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain,” gives us our life goal to leave a lasting legacy.
William James years ago said, “The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”
What legacy do you want to leave? For what would you like to be remembered?
• I endeavored to life a Christ honoring and Christ centered life?
• I took the initiative in reaching out in Christ love in sharing God’s Word with others?
• I practiced a positive attitude?
• I demonstrated Christ like love in my actions?
• I passed Biblical faith on to my family?
The Apostle Paul talked about leaving a lasting legacy when he wrote: “So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity, for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” Ephesians 5:15-18
I challenge you to live a Christ honoring life,
Live in the power of the Holy Spirit,
Live passionately and love completely and
Leave a lasting legacy.
“For to me living is for Christ, and dying is even better.” Philippians 1:21
Prayer of Commitment
Resource: One Month to Live
