Young Adults' Group

“For To Me To Live Is Christ”

by Pastor Mark
September 08, 2017

A dynamic principle of life

As we look at the way in which we live our life, what is a key principle for in our life?

The Apostle Paul revealed a dynamic principle of life when he wrote to the church in Philippi. He wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) What an amazing understanding of life! Let us be challenged to understand this dynamic principle of life.

1. Living for Christ

The word “to live” in the Greek is written as an articular infinitive. One aspect of the articular infinitive is that it is a noun. And the noun may indicate the idea of a concept. This phrase “to live” is first of all written as a concept of life. Paul’s concept of life is all about Christ. Christ should be central in every aspect of life. He gave salvation to Paul so that he would be able to live and to serve Him. He was called to suffer together with Christ in life.

The articular infinitive also has a verbal idea. It is a reference to actual living. Paul was able to live our his concept of life…for he served and suffered for Christ. Let us check whether our concept of life in Christ is applied to our living…we should be living for Christ and magnifying Him.

2. Dying for Christ

What was Paul’s understanding of death? His perspective of death (was life beyond death) went beyond life on this earth. Paul was even able to see gain in death. Paul’s understanding of death was really to gain Christ.

As Paul was in prison when he wrote this epistle, he was not afraid to be executed. He was willing to magnify Christ in death. He would be gaining Christ. Let us be challenged to have the same dynamic principle of life as Paul did.

A dynamic way of looking at life and death

Paul’s dynamic principle of life gave him a dynamic way of looking at life and death. Many people tend to desire to live on and are afraid to die. But not Paul…either way for him would be fine. In fact, he was hard pressed between the two. (Phil 1:23)

1. Looking at life

“But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labour;” (Phil 1:22)

“Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Phil 1:24)

These words were Paul’s perspectives of how he saw life. In being given more life, it would be an opportunity for him to be more fruitful in his labour for Christ. Moreover, he felt that it was necessary for him to stay on for the sake of the brethren.

2. Looking at death

“having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil 1:23)

Paul also expressed a desire to be with Christ in heaven. Did Paul have a preference between life and death? The answer is “Yes” and his preference was to depart and to be with Christ. It revealed the closeness of relationship that Paul had with Christ. But he would do what was more needful which was stay. Let us be challenged to have the same dynamic principle of life that Paul had. Let us be challenged to live for Christ and magnify Him. Let us be challenged to have a dynamic way of looking at life and death.

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