Don Overbeek

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. —Philippians 1:21

Many people promise to obey. Police officers must hear this all the time as they pull over people for traffic violations: “I will drive slower next time.” Parents, too, are certainly familiar with the look in their child’s eyes when punishment is about to be given, “I won’t do it again….” Promises to obey are often coverings for disobedience.

We need much more than promises. We need the habit of obedience. The habit of obedience is the God-given inclination to obey at all times. It is said (and proven) that we are “creatures of habit,” but sadly our habits do not include acceptable obedience to God. Our natural habits tend to be so minor and insignificant compared to the importance of habitual obedience to God.

The Apostle Paul’s habitual obedience is stated clearly in Philippians 1:21: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He is using a most difficult and delicate situation in prison to show how habitual obedience has become for him. It is safe and glorious to have a heart and life where joyful, spontaneous obedience to God thrives.

We often view the book of Philippians as dealing primarily with Christian joy. Too often, though, we miss the fact that this joy and rejoicing stem from obedience. Obedience is at the heart of this joy and rejoicing that Paul commends, just as he has experienced. Do you rest content with promises to obey, or are you nurturing habits of obedience?

The habit of obedience is formed actively and passively. When Reformed Christians hear the phrase “active and passive obedience,” they instinctively think of Jesus Christ. This is a biblical distinction with great practical use to help us understand Christ’s work. But two-sided obedience is not simply something we admire in Christ; it has to work in His people, too. Paul says, “[T]o live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The habit of obedience requires repeated action, but it also demands being acted upon. Grace in action and grace being received promote this habit of obedience. How do you consciously experience this active and passive obedience, which alone is pleasing to God?

This habit of obedience involves the body as well as the soul. We easily fall prey to thinking that our bodies are bad and our souls are good. This leads to the conclusion that habitual obedience demands the promotion of our souls and the demotion of our bodies. Paul’s inspired statement will not allow this. “To live is Christ” means that Christ is Paul’s living strength in the body! Christ is the life not just of Paul’s soul but also his body. This is balanced by the spiritual “to die is gain.” In the putting off of this mortal body will be the soul’s ultimate gain, immeasurable and unknowable by the standards of our current existence. Our habit of obedience will only be as strong as the consistency with which we keep this balance between body and soul.

Take comfort from this final thought: habitual obedience is reality for God’s people now and will be more fully enjoyed in the future. “To live is Christ” is the present enjoyment of a new habit of obedience. There is no greater motivation for our obedience than Christ’s obedience (Phil. 2:8) and no greater goal for our obedience than to be more like Christ. Yet, more is in store for God’s people on the other side of death. We can’t fathom what the habit of obedience will be there, being exercised in both soul and body for the entire man will be perfect, but it will be far greater and more glorious than our greatest obedience here and now.

Joy will be the possession of those who habitually obey God. This joy is sensed in the words of Paul, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Is this supported by your life?

Published by The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, used with permission.