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 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.
Philippians 1:21-24
Why not start off with a Jonathan Edwards quote because why not?
“To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here.”
Why would Paul and Jonathan Edwards say to us that death is greater gain? Why would Stephen while about to be stoned to death say:
“Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)
And while he was being stoned say:
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60)
Why didn’t he say; “Lord save me from this plight that I am in.” Why were all these men not only ready to accept death but found joy in death?
How Do Death and Gain Co-Exist?
Having death and joy in the same sentence sounds very wrong unless you say it in terms of finding joy in the death of a thorn on your side or an illness but not finding joy in your own mortality as that is impossible unless there’s an end goal.
The reason the very thought of thinking of death not only as joy or even as gain sounds insane is that death is unnatural as when God created us, we were to rule the earth forever but due to our fallen nature, death crept in as a punishment for our sinful nature:
By the sweat of your face, you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)
So, as you can see death was never meant to be hence why the very notion of death and our mortality grips us in a fearful way. This is especially true of the times I am writing this article as the Covid19 pandemic has for better or worse made us wrestle with our own mortality in a way that we never had since the first half of the 20th Century in which we had the Spanish Flu which had a death count of about 50 million people with some reports putting its death toll as high as 100 million and then the World Wars both of which had an estimated casualty of 100-110 million people. However, in spite of death being a daily occurrence in which about 6,400 people die every hour worldwide, it still has never felt natural the way everything else in the world does. Hence why despite the fact that an estimated 56 million people die every year, a pandemic with a significantly less mortality rate than the Spanish Flu still forces the world to have a seemingly complete shutdown.
That being the case then what differentiates people like Paul, Stephen, and Jonathan Edwards from people like us who are ever fearful of our mortality despite living in the most medically advanced age of any of the three? Not only that but these men weren’t perfect by any means as by Paul”s own admission he was the chief of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) as he had made a living out of murdering and persecuting Christians and as for Jonathan Edwards he was an 18th Century slave owner. The answer can be found in many of Paul’s writings but I can say that it is fully realized in Paul’s second letter to Timothy:
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
As I said it is impossible for death to be great gain if it isn’t based on a bright future and what future is there after death? Well, Jonathan Edwards answered it best when he said it is a future in which we get to fully enjoy God in heaven cause as we hopefully all know the chief end of man is to enjoy God forever.
How then do we get to a point of saying like Paul that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)?
First and Foremost….
Well before we get to the nitty-gritty of the question, I don’t want to assume that everyone reading this is saved. So, in order for you to call death gain you first have to be saved by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-10) in Christ alone (1 Corinthians 2:2, Acts 4:12) in accordance with Scripture alone (2 Timothy 3:16) to the glory of God alone (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The only reality in which you can call death gain is a reality whose abject foundations are these. We call them the 5 Solas of the reformation which we will discuss later in length but for now, you need to understand that for the other points in this article to ring true then these 5 Solas should be the basis of them. There’s nothing more precious than surrendering our all to God so that when we enter heaven, we can confidently say that we aren’t there on the basis of ourselves but rather on the basis of the man on the middle cross.
With the first and foremost out of the way then how then does death become gain? Well to answer that would take hours or even an entire book (future project maybe, who knows? Only God does) but for the purposes of the article, we will indulge in three broad ones.
Strive for the Faith of the Gospel
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you, it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Philippians 1:27-30
What exactly did Paul mean by this? Why don’t we let our good old friend Matthew Henry answer this for us?
Those who profess the gospel of Christ, should live as becomes those who believe gospel truths, submit to gospel laws, and depend upon gospel promises. The original word conversation denotes the conduct of citizens who seek the credit, safety, peace, and prosperity of their city. There is that in the faith of the gospel, which is worth striving for; there is much opposition, and there is need of striving. A man may sleep and go to hell; but he who would go to heaven, must look about him and be diligent. There may be oneness of heart and affection among Christians, where there is diversity of judgment about many things. Faith is God’s gift on the behalf of Christ; the ability and disposition to believe are from God. And if we suffer reproach and loss for Christ, we are to reckon them a gift, and prize them accordingly. Yet salvation must not be ascribed to bodily afflictions, as though afflictions and worldly persecutions deserved it; but from God only is salvation: faith and patience are his gifts. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary of the Bible)
Something Paul always managed to do very well in his writings is clearly show the church he was writing to what he meant by a certain aspect of his writings. So, he had just told them that to live is Christ but how does one’s life become Christ? That’s what he answers in verses 27-30 when he tells us to strive for the faith of the gospel to which Matthew Henry states that if our lives become Christ’s what it entails is a life whose pillars are the gospel truths that are found all over scripture:
Reading & devoting time to scripture and also delighting & abiding in it:
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:17)
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. (Psalm 119:9)
From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:104-105)
I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great spoil. I hate and despise falsehood, but I love Your law. (Psalm 119:162-163)
Devoting time to prayer:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. (1 Chronicles 16:11)
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)
Fellowship with believers:
On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:22-26)
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (Romans 14:19)
The list is endless as to pillars of living a Christ-centered, Christ-exalting, Christ-only life but all are formed when these three are the core pillars of it. Without these three you can have all the pillars you could want but they will be basically useless, as living without these pillars is essentially like living life day to day without breathing, especially if they aren’t founded on pillar one.
Even pillars two and three are extremely dependent on pillar one as you can’t pray in the spirit (Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:18) if you don’t know the perfect will of God and how do you know of it? Well, Jesus said it best in His High Priestly prayer in John 17 which was the sanctification of our souls by God’s Word for it is truth (John 17:17). With the pillars now set up, it leads us to the next part of the journey which is?
Become a Living and Holy Sacrifice
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
Without a striving for the faith of the gospel each and every day then this step is utterly impossible as without it you will still be conformed to the world and as the Apostle John tells us that a conformity to the world means that the love of God the Father isn’t in us (1 John 2:15-17).
Again let us consult our good friend Matthew Henry to help us see the deep obligation that comes with being a living and holy sacrifice:
The apostle having closed the part of his epistle wherein he argues and proves various doctrines which are practically applied, here urges important duties from gospel principles. He entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary of the Bible)
As our friend has emphasized to become a living and holy sacrifice well not only should God be our hope but basically our all in all as without full-on submission to the will of God then we will lay up treasures for ourselves on this earth and well Jesus exhorted us otherwise:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
In short for the sake of our death to be gain, then we need to understand that only when we look to the cross and trust & delight in the Sovereign Will of God only then will we have hope, peace, and rest in an eternity where all the desires of hearts will be fulfilled (Psalm 37:4). However, to reach a point where treasures of the world don’t take the place of God we need to
Regard Everything as Loss
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
Philippians 3:7-8
In short, what Paul is saying here is that the only way for death to be gain is that after all is said and done you need to have lived a life that encapsulated Jonathan Edwards’ quote rather well. Now you may be like well what did Paul have to lose for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Well thankfully he answered that just a verse earlier:
circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. (Philippians 3:5-6)
I am sure that maybe you are thinking well I am pretty sure that losing His standing in society had to be rewarded in some form. Well, 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 would like to have a word with you. John Piper actually has a popular quote to that effect which says;
“If God’s love for his children is to be measured by our health, wealth, and comfort in this life, God hated the apostle Paul.”
So why then would Paul regard everything as loss for Christ if the rewards he got were basically abject misery. Well for that he answers in the very next 3 verses:
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:9-11)
Well, one so that he may strive for the faith of the gospel, be a living and holy sacrifice through never compromising on the Word thus as a result suffering because of it and the end goal being the resurrection from the dead and unto eternal life.
Should Death frighten you?
Well, the simple answer is absolutely it should but only if your life hasn’t been one that has been lived to the glory of God alone. However, if your life has basically been you wondering how can I glorify God in each and every day that He has granted me breath then not only should death not frighten you but also you should joyously embrace as it means that you get to enjoy God forever and be like Paul when he says:
in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)
Seeing as we have already become good friends with Matthew Henry why don’t we finish with hearing what he had to say on this very subject that we covered. As for me I bid you adieu for now and hope that when all is said and done we can meet in eternity and say to each other that truly death was gain but for now we remain in the flesh as that is more necessary at the moment (Ephesians 1:24).
Now Matthew Henry to close us off:
Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to possess the chief good. The apostle’s difficulty was not between living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no comparison; but between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in another. Not between two evil things, but between two good things; living to Christ and being with him. See the power of faith and of Divine grace; it can make us willing to die. In this world we are compassed with sin; but when with Christ, we shall escape sin and temptation, sorrow and death, forever. But those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in the world as long as God has any work for them to do. And the more unexpected mercies are before they come, the more of God will be seen in them. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary of the Bible)
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