When we think of reasons for living we think of family we want to see grow. Sights we have yet to see. Places we have yet to go. Things we have yet to do or tasks we have yet to accomplish. For those who live outside the faith, their greatest reason for living is often from the fear of the unknown that comes after death. Thankfully as Christians, we have no need to fear death as we know our eternity is secure. The Apostle Paul though did not hold to any of these reasons for living. But instead had a reason few seem to truly hold to but one every Christian should.
The Apostle had no fear of dying. In fact, it is through his writing that we have statements such as for me living means living for Christ and dying is even better. Teaching that allows us to ask death where is your sting. As well as the comforting words that give us hope for those who have already passed on. As well as those that help us to one day face death ourselves in peace.
Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
1 Corinthians 15:54–57 (ESV)
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV)
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
In the eyes of Paul, it was better to die because death meant going to be with the Lord for eternity. Going where true peace could be experienced and all the pains of our old lives will be nothing more than a distant memory. He viewed death as what it truly is for every believer. The reward for a life well-lived. So in no way was his reason for living because he feared what would happen when he died.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV)
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
His reason for living also didn’t fall into the other categories we listed above. Ones that if we are honest are often our reasons for living. Paul didn’t view family and friends as a reason to keep living because he trusted that he would be able to spend eternity with them in Heaven. Paul had already forsaken the world stating that he had died to the world and it had died to him. He was content with plenty and with nothing. But none of it held him to this world. Paul’s sights were set far above anything this world had to offer. Instead, he made it his goal to focus on Heavenly things.
Galatians 6:14 (ESV)
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Philippians 4:11–13 (ESV)
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
You see Paul did not share any of the reasons we often have for living. Nothing this world could offer caused him to carry on another day. No amazing place to visit. Nor great food to try. No special accomplishment that he desired to achieve. Or even a place of recognition for his actions. To put it in more modern terms Paul seems to not have been able to care less about anything in the world. As he was solely focused on the day he would be able to graduate into the next life.
You could say that the greatest desire Paul had was to move on to be at home in Heaven. A desire that he was content with waiting just a little longer to experience for only one reason. Because he knew the impact that his faith and the wisdom God had given him was able to have in this world. To Paul, it would have been better to die because of the amazing reward awaiting him and every believer on the other side of death. But he was happy to keep on living because he knew it was better for many other people.
Philippians 1:22–25 (ESV)
22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
The Apostle Paul’s reason for living was to lead others to Christ. His primary goal in life was to accomplish the call God placed on His life and lead as many as he could to salvation. Which he was willing to do no matter what it would cost him. Even after multiple times in chains still Paul continued to use his life to lead others to Christ. All the while knowing that doing so would most likely cause him to end up back in chains or even lose his life. Yet, he kept pushing forward and even allowed his chains to speak as a testimony for the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 11:23–28 (ESV)
23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
Philippians 1:12–14 (ESV)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Our reason for living should be like unto the Apostles Pauls. Like him, we should not want to extend our life because we are afraid of death. Nor should we be consumed with the lust of the world. Causing us to desire a long life so we can do or obtain more. As Christians, we are called to be different than those who don’t believe in Christ. We shouldn’t share in their desires or their fears. Instead, we should hold to the truth of this scripture. Trust in the promises we have been given and strive to let go of this world.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 2:15–16 (ESV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Like Paul, our reason for living should be founded on our desire to share the life-saving truth we have with others. We know the way to God and we can literally save others from an eternity of torment. Like Peter as believers, we now possess the keys to the kingdom of God and we should be doing all we can to share them with everyone we can. Sharing in the desire of our God for all people to be saved. Nothing in this world should surpass this. Nothing else should be the reason we hope to live just a little longer.
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
1 Timothy 2:4 (ESV)
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
You could argue that our calling differs from that of the Apostle Paul. Which is true to the extent of the specific calling placed on our lives. We are not all called to be missionaries and spread the Gospel to various different peoples. But the great commission was given to every believer. No one is excluded but every Christian is expected to make disciples. We can and should all share the same reason for living. Not to gain or see new things but to ensure others don’t blindly follow the wicked path to destruction. Instead, we should wake up every morning with the hope to illuminate the path to eternal life and peace.
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV)
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Paul is one of the best examples we have of trying to perfectly align one’s life with the scripture. We are called in God’s word to follow the great example he put forth. As we begin to grow in our walk with God and live out the scripture the way we live should begin to resemble the way he lived. Our desires should be like unto his and even our actions should match his. What’s amazing is that Paul was simply following the example of Christ. Whose entire purpose for coming into the world and living was to save souls. Jesus lived for no other reason than to see souls saved. He is the other example the Bible calls us to follow.
1 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)
16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
11 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Philippians 4:9 (ESV)
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 Peter 2:21 (ESV)
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
1 John 2:6 (ESV)
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
To be completely frank if we have reasons for living that come before our call to lead others to the faith we have missed much of what the Bible teaches. It also shows a lack of love to simply watch as people walk towards destruction. Let us strive to not be that way but make the decision now to get our priories in order. Following the examples we have been giving and having no greater reason for living than to lead others to faith in God. Sharing in the same righteous motivation modeled by the Apostle Paul.
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