As I was helping someone with their next steps in faith on Wednesday night, I realized again how the whole of the gospel — indeed, the whole of the Christian life — is summarized in Philippians 1:21:
Christ in me is to live, to die is to gain.
That says it all, doesn’t it? The first phrase describes how the reality of the living God dwelling inside us makes life more vivid and abundant, and then the second phrase seals the deal: that kind of life never ends.
In fact, death actually makes it better.
All the pages and chapters of my Christian story have only made sense because I have assurance of how the book ends — to die is to gain.
That’s why Philippians 1:21 will be on my marker. Given my genes, I could be in for a long wait, but at least I’ve got that decision made.
There are 3 comments
“Christ in me is to live, to die is to gain”. Oh how I needed that this morning. Remembering those words certainly bring comfort during this time of grief.
Thank you….
Pastor Talbot, can you address a question that I have. Was God in covenent with Israel? If he was in covenant with Israel, is he still? I know you do not believe in pre-trib type theologies. I guess my main concern is that if we are to believe that God has replaced Israel with the church, has he then broken covenant? If he was so tired of the Israelites, how do you think he feels about us? If he gave up on them so easily, why wouldnt he give up on us? If any of this is the case, wouldnt God be a liar? Can you address this please. Just a struggly I have.
Thanks!
God was and remains in covenant with Israel. As Romans 11:29 reminds us, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”
God has not replaced anyone with anything. Instead he has grafted a new people into his people. Ephesians 2:15 is the heart of that matter: “His purpose was to create one new man out of the two, thus making peace . . . “