To live is Christ and to die is gain

Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

The glory of Christ ought to be the end of our life, the grace of Christ the principle of our life, and the word of Christ the rule of it. The Christian life is derived from Christ, and directed to him. He is the principle, rule, and end of it. All those to whom to live is Christ to them to die will be gain: it is great gain, a present gain, everlasting gain. Death is a great loss to a carnal worldly man; for he loses all his comforts and all his hopes: but to a good Christian it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery and the perfection of his comforts and accomplishment of his hopes; it delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to the possession of the chief good. [Commentary of Matthew Henry}

In 1887, just following an evangelistic meeting held by Dwight L. Moody, a young man stood to share his story in an after-service testimony meeting. As he was speaking, it became clear to many that he knew little about the Bible or acceptable Christian doctrine. His closing lines, however, spoke volumes to seasoned and new believers alike: I'm not quite sure. But I'm going to trust, and I'm going to obey.

Daniel Towner was so struck by the power of those simple words that he quickly jotted them down, then delivered them to John Sammis, who developed the lyrics to Trust and Obey. Towner composed the music and the song quickly became a favorite. It remains popular with hymn singers today. Here are the words to the song.

Refrain:  Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

 What a glory He sheds on our way!

 While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

 And with all who will trust and obey. [Refrain]

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

 But His smile quickly drives it away;

 Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

 Can abide while we trust and obey. [Refrain]

 Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

 But our toil He doth richly repay;

 Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

 But is blessed if we trust and obey. [Refrain]

 But we never can prove the delights of His love

 Until all on the altar we lay;

 For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

 Are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]

 Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.

 Or we'll walk by His side in the way.

 What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

 Never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]