Distinct Christian Living in an Indistinct and Political World

"For, to me, to live- Christ. And to die- gain." (Philippians 1:21)

A nation wages war within itself and it seems that the Body of Christ is being forced to take sides. What some fail to recognize is that a war has been waged long before the nation's founding and will last long after its institutions have been laid into dust. This war is a battle for the redemption of mankind, and it began long ago with a woman and a serpent. Today, in the United States of America, it seems that so many people have placed their gods of politics, economics, and democracy on the altar of what it means to be distinctly Christian. In the wake of our idolatry, a callousness towards the image of God in every human has grown. The names "Pelosi", "Schumer", "Harris", and "Trump" role off so many tongues in the context of curses rather than in blessing and prayer. Are these not those whom Christ has possibly elected to save? Are they not, in the least bit, made in the image of God?

Idolatry in the human heart will continue long after the United States has crumbled into dust. But, meanwhile, Christians are called to be distinct from the world. Our banner is love, our proclamation is hope, and our ultimate end is the magnification of Christ in all things. Paul shows us this reality in Philippians when he states that "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). Unfortunately, we do not recognize how radical this statement is. Paul's statement is so narrow that it is offensive to anyone who lives against it. His statement univocally suggests that anything else is opposite of what it means. If "to live is anything else but Christ, then to die means infinite loss." If to live is politics, Donald Trump, democracy, a stable economy, etc., then to die means infinite loss.

Why is living Christ?

To live is Christ, first of all, because of who He is. He is God of very God and man of very man. He shares a perfect relationship with the Father and the Spirit and works to carry out God's intention to bring mankind into that perfect relationship. To live is Christ because He was the only One that could and did redeem us from our sins. He plucked out death's sting and has given those who believe in Him life everlasting. To live is Christ because He is life and because He is everything. And without Him, we would lose everything.

Second, to live is Christ because of what He has done. He has drawn us to the throne of grace through His sacrifice on the cross. He is working to restore all things to himself and, in the end, will reign over all Creation. He created us, redeemed us, restored us, and will one day glorify us. To live is Christ because without His work, we would have no hope.

Why is dying gain?

Dying is gain because Christ is living. When we die, our faith becomes sight. No longer are we hindered by anything within this world. Rather, being freed from the effects of sin, we can live to make much of Christ all the more. Death is gain because "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). What sin hinders, glorification makes possible. No longer do we worship God with a double-minded spirit. In heaven, our mind, will, and emotions work in perfect synthesis to glorify God. Death is gain because there we experience the full presence of God in Christ.

How do I "live Christ"?

The context of Paul's statement in Philippians gives us the meaning of how to "live Christ." In verse 20, the apostle states: "it is my eager expectation and hope that, now as always, Christ would be magnified in my body whether by life or by death." Paul's hope is that, in his whole being, Christ would be known. In this letter, Paul writes from prison. Paul hoped that whatever engagement he found himself in, whether on the prison cell in Rome or in Caesar's palace, no one else would be magnified except Christ.

Sadly, although many profess the name of Christ, they do not live the distinct lives that the apostle Paul calls them to. If we have Christ, and He is everything, then we ought to be the happiest, most engaged, and most forgiving people in this world. Although we may lose earthly treasures, we can say "that's okay, because I have Christ. It's nice but it's not necessary." As American Christians, we must recognize that even if our liberty and democracy are stripped away, we can be just as joyful and Christ-filled. It's nice, really nice, but it's not necessary.

Conclusion: Personal Story

I am aware that personal anecdotes are terrible for argument. But I want to tell you my story of what it is like to live in a dark world, face tremendous loss, and still say "it's nice, but not necessary because I have Christ." I lost my oldest brother, Jon, to suicide when I was 11 years old. Not a day goes by that I do not feel his absence. He is blood of my blood, a brother both in body and in spirit. This upcoming December will mark the 10th anniversary of his death. For the past ten years, I have faced down a world that is filled with so much death and destruction. But, I understand that life consists of so much more than what I have lost. I have gained Christ. And because I have gained Christ, I can say that, although Jon's absence is excruciating, his presence was nice, but not necessary.

Dear friend, I know this article may have found you in a state where the darkness of this world has bared down onto your soul. Questions about the stability of the United States reign in your mind. And I want you to know that these questions are important. But, please understand, Christianity does not rise or fall on whether or not American democracy still exists. Democracy is nice, but its not necessary. Many churches around the world and throughout history have flourished without it. We must not let it become our god. Rather, Christ must become our chief goal. He is the One who saved us through His death on the cross. It is in Him that we have unity with each other. And, it is through Him that we gain life everlasting. "What is life?" an unbeliever will ask you. "It is Christ," you must respond. "And what is death?" he questions again. You must answer, "Gain. Infinite gain."