Introduction

Have you ever read something in the Bible that made you pause—not because it confused you, but because it unsettled you?

For me, one of those passages is Philippians 1:21-23, where Paul writes:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.

Philippians 1:21-23 (NIV)

I’ve struggled with this passage each time I’ve read through the Bible. It’s one of those moments where I’ve wanted to scoot past it, not dwell on it, and move on to something that doesn’t make me as uncomfortable. But for some reason, when I read this passage this week, I was inspired to dig into it instead of whistling while I walk past it, pretending it doesn’t exist.

So, Here We Go

Is Paul really saying that dying is better than living—that leaving this life and being with Christ is not just preferable, but better by far?

Yes, I think that’s exactly what he’s saying.

But is it just a pious statement, the kind of thing a super-spiritual person says to sound impressive? Or does Paul actually believe this?

I think it’s the latter. And if Paul truly feels this way, we need to ask why.

Did Paul Really Mean It?

Everything in Paul’s letters suggests that he wasn’t exaggerating. This wasn’t an empty religious phrase—it was the deep conviction of a man whose entire life was centered on Jesus.

Paul’s perspective wasn’t unique among early Christians. We see echoes of this longing in other scriptures:

• 2 Corinthians 5:8 – “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
• Revelation 21:3-4 – “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people… There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”
• John 14:2-3 – Jesus Himself promised: “I am going to prepare a place for you… that you also may be where I am.”

Paul longed for heaven because he had seen glimpses of it. In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, he describes an experience—possibly a vision, possibly a near-death event—where he was “caught up to paradise” and saw things too glorious to even put into words.

So Paul wasn’t just speculating when he said being with Christ is “better by far.” He had seen it. And nothing in this world could compare.

Why Long for Heaven?

If Paul is right—if to die is gain—why don’t we feel the same way? Why do most of us cling to life with everything we have?

In his book Weight of Glory, atheist-turned-Christian author C.S. Lewis offers a compelling explanation:

“If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

— C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

We are too easily satisfied with what this world offers, failing to grasp the incomparable beauty and shalom (wholeness and peace) that await us in eternity.

Paul understood something that we often forget: this world, no matter how good, is not home. And we’re not home yet.

Jesus Himself prepared His disciples for this truth:

Our lives here are filled with beauty and purpose, but they are also filled with pain, struggle, and limitations. Heaven, on the other hand, is life as it was meant to be—free from sorrow, sin, and separation from God. (Here’s a little side joke for Super Bowl Sunday: Why won’t there be any sports in heaven? Because there won’t be any referees or umpires.)

Anyway, should we interpret Paul’s statement in Philippians to mean that he was suicidal? I really don’t think so. He wasn’t dismissing the value of life on earth. He simply understood something we struggle to accept:

Our best day here is nothing compared to our first day there.

But Until Then…

Paul knew that while heaven was his ultimate destination, he still had work to do here.

But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.

Philippians 1:24-25 (NIV)

Paul didn’t see life as something to endure while waiting for heaven. He saw it as an opportunity to bring others into that same eternal joy.

He lived with a dual perspective—one eye on eternity, the other on his mission here.

That’s the balance we should seek, too.

Conclusion: A Life Worth Living, A Death Worth Hoping For

So, live or die?

Paul’s answer is both. To live is Christ, and to die is gain. We don’t need to fear death, because our future is beyond anything we can imagine.

But until that day, we have a purpose. We live for Christ—not merely waiting for heaven, but bringing the hope of heaven to those around us.

The next time you read Philippians 1:21, don’t scoot past it. Sit with it. Let it challenge you.

Do you long for heaven, or are you still too satisfied with the mud pies of this world?

And if heaven is really “better by far,” what does that mean for how you live today?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment and let me know.

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P.S. I’ve had people ask me something like this: “Heaven sounds wonderful, but how do I know if I will get there?” In each case, knowing that they are followers of Christ, I said that their future in heaven is guaranteed, not because of anything they did other than accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It’s as simple (and challenging!) as that. So, if you haven’t done that yet, then I invite you to make that commitment in your heart. Jesus will know you did that, but it would also be good to say something like this to him out loud: “Jesus, today I invite you into my life and into my heart as Lord and Savior of my life. I give as much as I know of myself to as much as I understand about You.” If you do that, I’d suggest you find a strong body of believers to connect with and help you along on this amazing journey of following Christ.

Or, if you’ve accepted Christ but know someone who would benefit from this perspective shift from mud pies to a vacation at the beach, feel free to share this blog with them.