Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. In what respect death is gain to believers. I. IN RESPECT OF THEM SOULS. It separates souls from bodies, not to their loss but to their gain. It is with the souls of believers as with Paul and his company in Acts 27. The ship broke in pieces, but the passengers came all safe to land. The benefit is two-fold. 1. Perfection in holiness (Hebrews 12:23), which up to this consisted only in gradual advances. This perfection consists in — (1) Complete freedom from sin (Ephesians 5:27); from its commission (Revelation 21:27); its very inbeing, the possibility of sinning (Revelation 3:12). (2) The arrival of their holiness at the highest pitch they are capable of (Ephesians 4:13). (a) Their understandings shall be perfectly illuminated (1 Corinthians 13:12). (b) Their wills shall be perfectly upright, so that they shall will nothing but good, without the least bias to the other side (Revelation 21:27). A perfect conformity betwixt God's will and theirs, without the least possible jarring (1 John 3:2). (c) The executive faculty shall then perfectly answer the will with ease and delight (Matthew 6:10). 2. Immediate entering into glory (Luke 23:43). Here consider — (1) The glory they enter into. (a) A glorious place (2 Corinthians 5:1; John 14:2; Revelation 21:23). (b) A glorious society (Hebrews 12:23-4; John 17:24). (c) A glorious state. What eye hath not seen. Rest and perfect blessedness. II. IN RESPECT OF THEIR BODIES. Death cannot harm them. 1. It cannot separate them from Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:14). 2. It is a stage in their progress towards the resurrection. The saint's dust is precious, locked up in the grave as in a cabinet, till the Lord have further use for it. (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. |
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