.....live

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain Philippians 1:21, these words capture the heart of authentic Christian discipleship. For the believer, life and death are both surrendered to Christ, governed not by fear or self-preservation, but by faith in God’s eternal purposes. This perspective lies at the center of the great controversy between Christ and Satan—a conflict over loyalty, trust, and love.

To **live for Christ** means that every aspect of life is brought under His lordship. Paul testified, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”Galatians 2:20. Such a life reflects Christ’s character—self-sacrificing love, obedience, and unwavering trust in the Father. When Christ lives within us, our daily choices, trials, and service become a witness to the gospel.

Paul also speaks of *dying for Chri—not as an escape from life, but as a faithful resting place when life’s work is done. Scripture is clear that death is a sleep until the resurrection: “The dead know nothing” Ecclesiastes 9:5, and “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice” John 5:28. For the Christian, death holds no terror, because it is not the end. Ellen G. White assures us, “To the believer, death is but a small matter… Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment” The Desire of Ages, p. 787

Paul understood that whether he lived or died, Christ would be glorified. Living meant continued labor for the church; dying meant resting in Christ until the resurrection morning Philippians 1:22–24. This confidence did not rest in human strength, but in Christ’s victory at the cross. “O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

In a world that clings desperately to life or fears death deeply, the Christian stands as a quiet testimony. To live is Christ—faithfully, obediently, lovingly. To die is gain—not because of immediate reward, but because the next moment of awareness will be seeing Jesus face to face. 

Such hope empowers believers to live courageously now, and to rest peacefully when their work is done.