…according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Don’t be afraid of death, because it is the doorway into a life that is “very much better”, with Christ!
Do you hear the conflict in Paul’s heart as he writes these words to the Philippians? Yes, he wants to go on living on earth so that he can build Christ’s Kingdom here on earth in the hearts and lives of people. But at the same time, he knows that life “with Christ” is going to be so much better and he can’t wait for that!
God is reminding you today that, as a Christian, life after death is something to be very excited about. Your enthusiastic confidence about that makes you radically different from the people around you. So let them see it!
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