For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (KJV)
This is very personal for Paul: “For to me…” Regardless of how anyone else is living, he is saying, “For to me…” Notice how he ends the phrase: “…is Christ.” Literally, in the original Greek in which this is written, the verb “is” is not found. It is applied by our translators just to smooth it out, but literally, in dramatic effect, this reads, as Paul penned it, “For me to live, Christ.” We live in Christ… for Christ… by Christ… through Christ. For me to live, Christ.
To the Colossians, Paul says in rich expression:
Christ is our life. Colossians 3:4 (NLV)
For Paul, “to live” was wrapped up in Christ. He had no competing loyalties. No other agenda. The entire reason for his life, the entire reason for which Paul preached, travelled and even suffered persecution can be reduced to this one word, “Christ”. Everything in his life must be brought into alignment with the chief cornerstone, Christ. Everything had to square with Christ. It reminds me of the song, “Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have, and ever hope to be.”
Surely this verse from Paul challenges us to consider our own statement of faith. “To me to live is ___________” What word or phrase would you put in the blank? Is Christ your purpose? Is Christ your passion? Is Christ your priority?
The opposite of this single-minded focus is found in the following verse:
For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:21 (NASB)
We are living in a ‘me generation’. A selfie generation. Most people are interested in themselves, their advancement, their concerns. Or as Paul put it, ” …they all seek after their own interests…” Paul wrote to Timothy as a warning:
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 (ESV)
They all seek after their own interests, yet Jesus has told us to “seek first” something else.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
Paul stated:
He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NKJV)
How tragic that we can easily become intoxicated with ‘love for self’ rather than ‘death of self’, turning God’s truth completely on its head.
The challenge remains: are we Christ-centred life or self-centred?
Would Philippians 1:21 or Philippians 2:21 best describe us?