August 12

Philippians 1:21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

In the previous verse Paul revealed the ruling motivation of his being: that Christ should be glorified, whether it be by Paul’s remaining alive, or whether it be by his death. If he were to remain alive, he could manifest Christ to others in his daily life, by “letting his light shine before men,” Matthew 5:16, and by teaching people about Christ and salvation. On the other hand, if he were to die, he would depart from this life to be with Christ, which for him personally would be far preferable. In verse 23 he reveals his hesitation between the two alternatives, and in verse 24 decides that it was better that he remain here so that he could continue revealing Christ to others. What would be our own position on this question? Life is an opportunity to share Christ with others, by your words and by your example. C.T. Studd nailed it in his poem, “Only one life, it will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

"...what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30