One of the strange things about living is that it always carries with it the prospect of dying. To live in this fallen age is to eventually die, and that eventuality may come at any moment. That may sound morose, but it’s a reality we can’t escape. Therefore, we must think biblically about it.

Apostle Paul in the book of Philippians had life and death on his mind. When he wrote that letter, he was actually imprisoned for preaching the gospel and didn’t know if he’d survive. But listen to how he thought about life and death in Philippians 1:21–23. He said, “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 labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”

Those are such powerful words! You see, from a biblical worldview, death for a Christian is not a loss. It’s a gain. It’s better to die in God’s timing and go be with the Lord in Heaven. There you will be completely whole. You will have unmediated fellowship with God. You’ll be surrounded by other believers who died and the angels. There will be no more sin or sadness, pain or death. It will be heavenly, literally. So, death for the believer is gain.

But what are we supposed to do until that happens in the Lord’s timing? Well, Paul said that to die is gain, but to live is Christ. In other words, to live is to serve Jesus. It means fruitful labor for the Lord. To live is to pour out your life for Jesus, and what a joy that is!

Listen, for the living, death is always just around the corner, and what a day that will be when you close your eyes on earth and awake in Heaven. We have to live in light of this reality. But until then, we have a Savior to serve. So, go serve your king with every ounce of your life!

Change begins in you!