Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”
Paul had already explained that the sufferings of his life was all for the joy of serving his Lord; he expressed it this way: “Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20). He further explained that, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”. He was sharing his personal feelings and knowledge of himself and his service to his Lord. To him, life was all about Christ. Christ was his reason to live. Christ was the cause of his life. Christ was the joy of his life. Christ was the provision for his life. Christ was the strength and motivation of his life. Christ was his Great Deliverer in life. Christ was the knowledge of his life. Christ was the authority in his life. Christ was the love in his life. And, without Christ, he would have no life. Living a life in Christ was filled with peace and joys this natural world simply cannot provide. However, “to die is gain”; that is, it is even better than a life in Jesus Christ for, at the instant we “die”, we (our spirit/soul) are in the immediate presence of our Lord in that blessed and holy place He called “paradise” (Luke 23:43)! Paul knew that it was “far better” because, for a short period of time, he “was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words” (II Corinthians 12:4). A blessed side note, we should not fear death! For, no matter how grand this present life might be, being in the presence of our Lord is “far better”!