CONSUMED IN LIFE BY ONE “For Me to Live Is Christ”
The statement above in one short sentence is the sum and total of the life of the apostle Paul. One Person consumed him, by one course, by one goal and prize—Christ Jesus, his living LORD. He also said in this same passage, “…Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” By life, “For to me to live is Christ,” by death, “and to die is gain,” which will be more Christ (Philippians 1:20-21). Paul said in another place, with the deepest personal conviction, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (I Tim.1:15). He was a recipient of that salvation, considering himself “chief of sinners,” and gloried in nothing but the cross of Christ, by which he was saved. Again he said, adding to his personal testimony, “…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (II Tim.1:12). Paul recognized in Jesus Christ an all-sufficient Savior, strong with the strength of Godhead, yet tender with the sympathy of manhood. Paul held Christ’s invitations to be sincere, “If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink” (John 7:37). If any man is weary with spiritual labor, and heavy laden with sins guilt, “come to Me…and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He was convinced that God’s honor is pledged to the certain, complete, everlasting salvation of those who believe in Jesus; therefore his life was consumed with devotion to this most benevolent Redeemer. Should not we who also have received like grace be so consumed? S.D. Gordon tells of an old Christian woman whose age began to tell on her memory. She had once known much of the Bible by heart. Eventually only one precious bit stayed with her: “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (II Timothy 1:12). By and by part of that slipped its hold, and she would quietly repeat, “That which I have committed unto Him.” As she slipped away, her children noticed her lips moving, and they bent over to hear. She was repeating one word, “Him…Him…Him.” She had lost the whole Bible but one word. But she had the whole Bible in that one word…Him. Does this belong to you? Can you claim an interest in Christ? Does Christ live in you? If He does not your death will not be gain. Are you a believer in the Savior? Has your heart been renewed, and your conscience washed in the blood of Jesus? Death is hideous to men that are not in Christ! You could be saved from the dread hereafter by simply believing in Christ. Your cry could be “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” I plead with you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, think upon these things.
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