For Me To Live Is Christ

by
Donald G. Hayter

"WHAT IS LIFE?" asked a writer. He gave an answer to his own question, but the replies could be as various as man's needs and ambitions are numerous. But for Paul there was but one answer, for life to him was summed up in one word--Christ. Paul was a prisoner when he expressed himself thus. He was hampered in the extreme as to public service. No longer was he able to visit the ecclesias or gather the saints around him for instruction and sharing of faith. His sphere of service and endeavor for Christ, we might think, was very restricted. However though he was confined within four walls his ambition and purpose in life was maintained as before and he expressed them in his letters written from prison. These have survived down the generations and have been a blessing to millions during almost two thousand years. But in prison, as in his freedom, was this all absorbing pursuit and focal point of endeavor--Christ.

We ask ourselves, How can we seek to imitate Paul in this ambition of his? Firstly, what is life for us? It is made up of moments, hours, days and years. Every day starts a new experience, a fresh period of living. Every twenty-four hours is marked off by the hours of sleep. Thus are we given a daily allegory of death, for in sleep we are as near to death's condition as is possible while living. Thus God divides life so that with every morning rising we begin to tread a new and virgin part of the pathway to glory. Thankful we are to Him for each fresh day given. Sleep should erase the past. Its lessons we should retain. These should exercise us. But no thought or effort can change one act or experience of the days gone by. Each day should be one of renewal of mind, fresh dedication to the task in hand and revival of ambitions and desires. Every morning of awakening is a picture of resurrection from death, for sleep is the brother of death.

Life consists of experiences and circumstances that are placed upon us by a loving Father. He is able, if it were expedient, to banish every disability, to smooth every path, but this is not His will at present. An experience of evil is necessary to train us for our great and glorious role among the celestials. We need to learn obedience through suffering. If we see our present experiences as a preparation for our place in Christ's celestial kingdom, then even though they may be humiliating and vain, they must serve to exalt Him, for they fit us to take our place among the celestials. How prone we are to want to escape out of the place God has put us in. How much better, we think, we could do if we were stronger or placed among those who would lend a ready ear to our message. Instead of strength, He perhaps gives weakness; instead of fellowship and associates, eager to learn with us of His marvels, we are perhaps put in a lonely place, longing to share our faith but unable to do so. Let us not be restive or bitter, for in such circumstances we can as well utter the acclamation "For to me to be living is Christ" as Paul could as the prisoner of the Lord.

Paul's last days picture the type of experience which may well, indeed, be the ideal for the faithful saints in these last days. Not literally imprisoned, but so restricted as to service and fellowship that prison is the nearest picture of their condition. What a complete contrast were Paul's circumstances to that which would be deemed success today. He did not have thousands listening to him and acclaiming him the teacher and preacher of the day. Superficially he would be judged a failure by the world. He was forsaken by all in the province of Asia and probably counted those faithful to him on the fingers of his hands. But what will be the judgment at the dais of Christ? Applause, or rejection as failure? We can only begin to assess its possible value by what has accrued to Christ from it. Certainly the letters he then wrote are the most glorious of Paul's works, excelling any miracles he may have done. Then, too, if his realization of God increased during his imprisonment it would have led to greater worship, love, praise and wonder at the marvels of God and His Christ, and is there any more valuable end to life than these spiritual treasures?

© Concordant Publishing Concern