Live It Up!
Today’s Verse:
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ~Philippians 1:21
The term “live it up” means to thoroughly enjoy your circumstance or situation. It has the idea of having the best time of your life and not wanting to trade what you are experiencing for anything else. Are you at the place in your life where you can confidently say “I’m living it up”? Paul was describing his situation. What looked bad to other people was the time of his life. What appeared to be a discouraging circumstance was life at its best. Let’s examine what Paul meant when he said “for to me to live is Christ.”
There is the predicament Paul was in.
He was a prisoner chained to two guards. His basic freedoms were removed. Everywhere he went the guards went with him. Anyone he spoke with was under scrutiny by the guards. Anyone he corresponded with was under scrutiny. Humanly speaking, he appeared to be in a very tough circumstance.
There is the performance Paul made.
Physically he was chained, but spiritually and emotionally he sensed a freedom from God. During this imprisonment, he made the most of where he was at to be a strong witness of the gospel. It is likely that Paul witnessed repeatedly to the guards and servants who waited upon him. He said all those in the palace heard the gospel. God gave him an audience he would not have otherwise would have had. It was also during this time Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians. This situation gave way to the writing ministry Paul would be given by God.
There is the priority Paul lived.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He summed up his life ambition and priority as being one person: Christ! He summed his life’s desire and that was Christ. To live is Christ! I can enjoy life to the maximum because of Christ! I can enjoy being incarcerated because of Christ. Each day for Paul was a day he looked forward to! He was testifying that life is a win-win situation when we have Jesus as our Savior. Christ was foremost in his decisions and desires.
There is the product Paul derived.
He was saying “I’m living it up”. “I have joy because life is about Christ!” “I’m in the right place at the right time because of Christ. “ Life cannot be any better than it is because of Christ.” He concluded that circumstances do not control him: he discovered that through Christ he controlled the circumstances. Everyone in his life who was having challenges of some kind had to take a step back and consider that they were not making the most of their situation. As people watched Paul, his spirit gave evidence of the joy and peace inherent with a Christ filled life.
Are you in a personal situation where you feel like you are under chains and restrictions? Have you given up on God’s plan for your life? Paul’s life philosophy is still applicable for you and me. Make a decision today to live it up! Live it up in Christ! Surrender your life so that your life testifies that “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Remove the distractions that are hindering you from Christ being the reason for your living. Live it up by making life all about Jesus!
Have a Christ-filled God morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Acts 18-20