To Die is Gain

When you read almost anything Paul wrote, it’s hard not to wonder what kind of person it took to say the things he said, and know that he really believed every word of it. We can all get grandiose at times, and make bold, confident statements. It can be easy to be dismissive when people do that, but don’t ever make that mistake with Paul!

Paul lived every word he spoke and wrote, and of course, his epistles are written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t just some powerful communicator with strong opinions; this is God speaking for the purpose of building up and instructing His Church!

Here Paul again refers to his imprisonment, mentioning some whose motives for preaching the gospel are less than noble, who seek to add to his suffering while he is imprisoned. Yet Paul simply rejoices that “whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed.” And again, even amid his trials, Paul maintains his joy, knowing that God is in control of his circumstances, and is even using those circumstances for what Paul considers his greatest mission, that is, to “advance the gospel.”

Paul is in love with Jesus, and when he thinks of his heavenly destination, he can say, as in verse twenty-three, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” He isn’t being mournful or defeatist—he just knows who is waiting for him. That’s why he can put up with so many afflictions; he knows they won’t last!

It’s easy to say we believe in heaven, but do we really look at the pressures and difficulties of our daily lives in the light of eternity? When things don’t go well, when we lose a loved one, when all kinds of problems erupt, do we remember we’re only here for a little while? There’s a great movie called “Heaven Is for Real,” but if heaven is really real, shouldn’t that impact how we view the circumstances and the people that surround us?

Paul faced dire circumstances nearly every day, yet he could still rejoice that the gospel was being preached. And more personally, he could also rejoice that the Lover of his soul would one day call him to His side. I pray that’s true for you, too, because on that day, the rejoicing will never come to an end!