Our pastor said his senior quote was, “I’ve been crucified with Christ, and it’s no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.”
His teacher thought it was beautiful, and asked if he wrote it. In case if you don’t know, it’s a Bible verse, Galatians 2:20.
When I was in my 20’s, I went to a retreat with the theme, “To live is Christ, To Die is Gain.” I’ve attended many retreats in my life, but this is the only one with the theme that stuck with me. At that retreat, I memorized Galatians 2:20, and it continues to be one of my favorite verses. Whenever I am selfish, when I want to do what I want to do, this verse comes to mind. My life is not about me. It’s only right that I obey God because he loved me and gave himself up for me.
Obedience to God may seem difficult, but that is only the immediate reaction. My human nature wants to live selfishly, do what I want, no one can tell me how to live my life. But actually, there is greater joy in living God’s way than in living my own way. Jesus says, “My burden is light.” I have found this to be true.
Take for example finances. We talked about that today in Sunday School. God wants us to give generously. We would rather spend on ourselves. Are we truly happy when we live selfishly?
Tom Hsieh, who makes six figures in the tech business, chose to live on $38,000 a year, giving the rest of his income away. He says, “Some think too much of us [him, his wife and daughter] and think we’re saving people’s lives. But doing this giving—putting time as well as money into Servant Partners and Pomona Hope– has saved my life. I could easily have lived a life that was boring and inconsequential. Now I am graced with a life of service and meaning.”
My pastor said to wake up each morning and say, “I die to myself today. What does God want me to do?”
Honestly, it does hurt to die to yourself to live in obedience to God. But it’s only temporary and inconsequential compared to life with Christ. Life is much better with Christ than without.
To Die is Gain.