To Live is Christ: Once a person has tasted the kindness of the Lord (1 Pet. 2:3) in salvation his life is totally committed to Christ. This is the essence of faith. Christians no longer live for themselves but by faith we live for Christ (cf. Rom. 14:7-9; 2 Cor. 5:15) and Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20). The hope of being with our Savior compels us to yield our whole selves to His will.[1] We no longer relate with our past sins or present successes (Phil. 3:13; Luke 9:61-62) but relate with Christ by taking upon ourselves the character traits we see in His humanity (Ps. 73:24).[2] For to us, every moment God grants us to live is aimed toward "fruitful labor" (Phil. 1:22)-not mysteriously but practically. We labor to aid others in living out a more vibrant faith (cf. Phil. 1:25).

To Die is Gain: As riveting as it is to stimulate one another to live for Christ, being with Christ is ultimately better (cf. 2 Cor. 5:8). Too often we think of death as the great separation from loved ones when it is the greater union with Christ.[3] Death will not separate us from Jesus (Rom. 8:38). Yet, we will not follow Him in death unless we hold fast to Him in life (1 Cor. 15:2; Heb. 3:6). Through death, our faith will become sight (1 Jn. 3:2) and we will know Him as we are known (1 Cor. 13:12). A permanent joy awaits those who count all things as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8).

[1] The will of God is revealed only through the Word of God ("Thus says the LORD" used 419 times; 2 Tim. 3:16) and the illumination of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12-13; Phil. 3:15; 1 Jn 2:27). As we obey the Word, the Spirit provides the grace of God to endure in-practical ways-the faith in Jesus Christ.

[2] For example: [1] trust in the Father (Mt. 26:39, 42) [2] love for others (1 Jn. 3:16) [3] purpose in life: to serve (Mk. 10:45) [4] ultimate purpose in life: (Jn. 17:1)

[3] No unbeliever nor other religion has a greater hope than the Biblical view of death for a Christian.