Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ,what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ,which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
In this passage, Paul seems like a bipolar junior high cheerleader. He thinks he might get out, but then he thinks he won't, then back and forth. But the key to the entire book of Philippians comes in verse 21.
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
This is what Paul lives by.
Our lives are lived for Christ and the advancement of his kingdom, and if we die, it doesn't matter, we get to be with Christ forever.
So no matter what, whether we live or die, if our lives are offered up to God, he can use us to advance the Gospel.
There really isn't much else I know to say about this passage.
The question you have to ask yourself is simply this....Am i living my life in such a way that the Kingdom of God is advanced because of me?
Every thing we spend our money on, everything we waste our time on, it all comes back to this...who am I living for?
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