When I started preaching nearly half a century ago it was common to hear Christians speak about their “life verse”. Mine was what it is today. If I had but one verse to describe the goal of my life it would be Philippians 1:21,“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain“. If I had but one word to sum up the desire of my heart and purpose of my existence it would be “Christ”. If I had to make one declaration describing my outlook as to the future it would be this— the best is yet to come because “to die is gain“. Lastly, if I ever read one brief statement pertaining to this verse that puts it all into perspective it would be this one from the pen of John Piper–-” Christ is shown as great, when death is seen as gain. The reason for this is plain: the glory of Christ is magnified when our hearts are more satisfied in him than in all that death takes from us. If we count death gain, because it brings us closer to Christ (which is what Phil. 1:23 says it does), then we show that Christ is more to be desired than all this world can offer.”
Perhaps it would be good to read that again and then ask yourself this question–seeing that “Christ is more to be desired than all this world can offer” do I really have my priorities as they should be? Is Christ preeminent in my life? Do I esteem Him above all else?
