For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or death. (21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (22) But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. (23) For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (24) Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you

The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul. He wrote this letter from prison after being arrested in Jerusalem for preaching the gospel. Paul was a Roman citizen and he appealed to Caesar for a trial as was his right – and he awaited his trial in Rome. Paul’s circumstance was not focused on his release from prison but on exalting Christ. He acknowledged that he may well be executed – his desire was to depart and be with Christ (to die is gain) but realized the Philippians and others needed his ministry (to live is Christ).

We think of death as a loss, not a gain, and avoid thinking or talking about death. But for Paul to live for Christ was to glorify God by everything he was and did. But a person is not ready to live unless he/she is ready to die. We must live purposefully always in view of the certainty of death and the uncertainty of when it will occur. At death a Christian goes immediately to be with Christ and this doctrine exposes the errors of soul sleep, annihilation, reincarnation and purgatory which contradict Scriptural teaching on the finished and acceptable work of Christ; of His sufficient atonement for sins and salvation by grace alone through faith alone.

What are we living for? The answer will determine the direction of our lives – if our purpose is wrong, our direction will be wrong. We have the ability to choose our attitude in any set of circumstances. Living for things of this earth which will perish is in vain. A Christian’s death frees him/her from earthly trials, labor and temptations. Paul viewed life as a progressive joy in Christ and death as an even greater joy because he would see Christ face to face. The Christian has the best of both worlds in Christ.