Are we not allowed to live or die these days?
‘For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain’ (Philippians 1:21).
St Paul was torn by the attraction of two good things. If God allowed him to continue to spread the Good News of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus, this would be his fruitful labour. But trusting in what had been revealed to him concerning the future inexpressible joys of being resurrected to eternal life, he admits that the second option is far better!
Paul desired to be with Jesus. But he didn’t will it into being against the will of God, for he knew that God was responsible for numbering his days. If he lived – good and well – but for the sake of the exultation of Christ! If he died – even better - but again, for the sake of the exultation of Christ (Philippians 1:20)!
If you have a worldly view of death, no doubt you will be shocked by Paul’s desire. He admits that his death will ultimately be to his gain! If life stopped with death, then dying would be nothing but loss. But to those with faith in Jesus; in Him who has won the victory over death by being raised to eternal life, then death is truly a gain.
When you are no longer fearful of life lived with disease or death because of it, then you will see the current lockdown strategies as preventing people from both living and dying. As one commentator put it – “We are merely existing in this state of lockdown.”