If asked, most people would say that they don’t want to talk or think about dying. That is generally not a favorite topic of dinner table conversation. The unsaved have a very understandable fear of dying, as they have no sure hope for beyond the grave. Many of them believe that after death they just cease to exist. For others it is a gamble of whether their good deeds will outweigh their bad actions. For them, death is something to fear. Believers, those who have placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, have a sure hope of the resurrection and our eternal home in heaven. Death is not something to fear. In our Scripture passage today from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, we read a few of his thoughts about death.
Paul was in prison because of his preaching the Gospel when he wrote his letter to the Philippians. This was not his first, nor his last time to be imprisoned for spreading the message of Jesus Christ. Paul would be released this time, but he could very easily have been executed, and eventually he was. While he sat in prison, knowing that at any moment the word could possibly come that he would be taken out and executed, his thoughts would have occasionally thought of his impending death. For many people, the thought of a looming execution would bring fear. However, what does the Apostle Paul say? He does not fear death. Death means being with Jesus, his Savior, and that is something he desires (vs. 21-23).
Jesus was Paul’s reason for being (vs. 21). Death would release him from his earthly burdens, which were many and heavy. Death would bring him into the presence of God. Whether Paul lived or died, he wanted to exalt Christ. To the unsaved, life on earth is all there is. They spend their time seeking pleasure, power, wealth, and popularity. For Paul, who knew Jesus and had assurance of a home in heaven, life here on earth meant one thing - serving God and winning souls for Him. Paul knew the only reason he should remain on earth was to bring souls to Jesus, and build them up in the Lord (vs. 22). Heaven was most desirable, but as long as God had work for him to do, Paul would seek to stay (vs. 24). Only faith in Christ could sustain Paul in the horrible conditions of some of the prisons he was in.
Paul was not afraid of death. He knew that once it occurred, and he was “absent from the body”, he would be at home with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:6-8). Paul knew that for the believer and follower of the Lord Jesus, heaven was wonderful beyond imagination. He knew that all pain and sorrow would be gone, and he would fellowship with the Lord forever. As desirable as that was, Paul knew that God still had work for him to do here on earth, and he yielded his personal desire to be with Him for the necessity of soul-winning and building up believers (vs. 24). Paul knew that as long as God had work for him to do, his death would not be forthcoming (vs 25).
This passage concludes with Paul giving the Philippians a word that Christians need to have integrity, and live consistent with what the Bible teaches (vs. 27). Believers need to conduct themselves worthy of the Gospel. We need to stand up for the Christian faith. Believers are called to live in a way worthy of their calling. This does not mean that God’s call depends upon the way we live. Rather, we live the way we do because we remember that we belong to Jesus.
In conclusion, Paul knew that God would keep him on earth as long as he had work to do for Jesus and His kingdom. That is the same for us. We may be suffering any number of physical ailments, and death would be a release from the burden of our worn-out bodies. We may have lost a beloved spouse of many years, and really desire to be with them in heaven. However, as long as God has something He wishes us to do, something He wants us to accomplish for Him, He will keep us here on earth. Paul’s purpose for living was to preach salvation, win souls for Jesus, and start local churches. What purpose has God given you? Prayerfully find out what the Lord wishes for you to do, and then keep doing that until He calls you home.
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