PAUL’S PHILOSOPHY IN A CHRISTIAN LIFE
Philippians 1:21
Introduction:
Of all Paul's epistles Philippians is the most consistently positive and personal. It reflects a joyful spirit when he say’s “for to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” what a philosophy in life isn’t it? Philosophy means a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behavior, it is also the study of the theoretical basis of a particular branch of knowledge or experience. Now here in Philippians 1:21 Apostle Paul was expressing his philosophy in life by saying “for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Body:
I. TO LIVE IS CHRIST
a. It is Paul’s Identity.
- It is Paul’s philosophy as a believer of Christ, that while he was on earth you will identify him in action, attitude, and in his behaviour, that he was in Christ when he says “for to me, to live is Christ.”
b. It is Paul’s Goal in life.
- It is also clear to Paul’s conviction that his purpose in life is to live for Christ, Paul here in Philippians 1:21 was aiming high and setting his mind as a believer or as a Christian he should live in a Christlikeness manner, that’s why in 1 Cor. 11:1 it say’s and I quote “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” I think this is the reason why he said “for to me to live is Christ.”
Transition:
In my observation according to this passage, it is easy to say “for to me, to live is Christ” when you have an intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe, if you are in the Lord, your mind-set would be aligned in a Christ-likeness attitude and like Apostle Paul it is easy for you to say “for to me, to live is Christ.”
May be like your situation right now, whatever circumstances you have in the past, but still silently saying “for to me, to live is Christ.”
II. TO DIE IS GAIN
a. It is Paul’s positive impression about death.
- I think Paul has a positive impression about death, because, he believed that whether he live or die, Christ is gain to him. While Paul lives he was Christ’s property and servant, and Christ is his portion; if he dies - if he be called to witness the truth at the expense of his life, this will be gain. What a positive impression about death isn’t it.
b. It is Paul’s advancement about death.
- To Paul, death is gain to believers: it is not easy to say what a believer gains by dying, but in reality if you die you are released and delivered from all the troubles and distresses of this life, you are delivered from diseases of body, losses and disappointments in worldly things, and Paul expectation is to be immediately with the Lord. Thus, Paul easy to say “for me to live and to die is Christ's gain.”
Conclusion:
As Paul’s life being spent in his service to God, in living according to His will, in preaching to His Gospel, serving His churches, and suffering for Christ sake, was for sure just for the glory of God, and the reason why he was persuaded Christ would be magnified or glorified in his body, whether by life or by death.
