Verse of the Day-Philippians 1:21

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
Amen! People who don't believe in Jesus don't get this. They call it silly. We have Paul telling us his thoughts on living and even better dying for Jesus. What a blessing. To return the favor of self sacrifice to the one who gave it to us around 2000 years ago. Wow!
Paul said to live is Christ and to die is to gain. What does that mean. Christ is the source of life. Yes it is true. Jesus is the only way in which we can enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Let me repeat that ..."Jesus is the ONLY way!" If we want to live we have to live for Christ. We have to let Him live in us and live to let Him shine through us. When we let that happen the Bible gives a few promises. We are about to focus on one of them right now though. People will hate us. Atheist will rise against us. The world we want us to be wiped out. Yeah that is a promise. It is a word from God. Because the world first hated Jesus we are told it will hate us for loving Him. It is true.
People have entire blogs, conventions, financial institution, schools, beliefs, bumper stickers, t-shirts,books, and plans to come against us. They plan out well thought false claims against us. This scripture is full filled everyday. Thank God for the blessing that we do not live in a restricted nation where communist beliefs are really pushed on people.Then all of us would be in trouble.
Back to the topic. Paul says that to die is to gain. Yes! To lose this life after living it for Christ is so much better. We have such a great place to go and serve God. No hate, no lies, nothing but pure praise and glory to God. Those who don't understand what it means to follow Jesus are so unaware of what happens if we die for Him. We need to really evaluate the cost. I think you find the price of following Christ is great in this life but to not follow Him brings forth eternal consequences that will torture us forever. I see only one good option. Even while I live I pray for the strength to lay down my life for Jesus. To give up all the foolishness in this world and focus on the truth makes me alive because the truth is Christ.