Belief in Jesus's death and resurrection brings the assurance of life with Him forever.

耶稣的受死与复活，使我们得到永远与祂同在的确据。

I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. Philippians 1:23

我……情愿离世与基督同在，因为这是好得无比的。?-腓立比书1章23节

A siren wailed outside a little boy’s house. Unfamiliar with the sound, he asked his mother what it was. She explained that it was meant to alert people of a dangerous storm. She said that if people did not take cover, they might die as a result of the tornado. The boy replied, “Mommy, why is that a bad thing? If we die, don’t we meet Jesus?”

警报声响起，小男孩因为不熟悉这个龙卷风的警报，便问妈妈那是什么。妈妈解释说，那是警告人们，有个威力强大的风暴即将来袭。如果人们不找寻掩护，可能会因此丧命。小男孩回答说：“妈咪，那有什么不好呢？如果我们死了，不是就可以见到耶稣了吗？”

Little children don’t always understand what it means to die. But Paul, who had a lifetime of experience, wrote something similar: “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Phil. 1:23). The apostle was under house arrest at the time, but his statement wasn’t fueled by despair. He was rejoicing because his suffering was causing the gospel to spread (vv. 12–14).

或许小孩子并不了解死亡是什么，但是使徒保罗一辈子出生入死，竟也这么说：“我……情愿离世与基督同在，因为这是好得无比的” (腓立比书1章23节) 。当时保罗虽遭到禁锢，但在他所写的书信当中，字里行间并没有灰心绝望。他很喜乐，因为他受的苦难使福音得以广传 (12-14节) 。

So why would Paul be torn between a desire for life and death? Because to go on living would mean “fruitful labor.” But if he died he knew he would enjoy a special kind of closeness with Christ. To be absent from our bodies is to be home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6–8).

那么，为什么保罗会在生与死的两难之间挣扎呢？因为他若继续活着，表示他可以带领更多人归主，为主结更多福音的果子。但他也知道若是死了，就能享有与基督同住的喜乐。换言之，离开身体就是回天家与主相聚(哥林多后书5章6-8节) 。

People who believe in the saving power of Jesus’s death and resurrection will be with Him forever. It’s been said, “All’s well that ends in heaven.” Whether we live or die, we win. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

人若相信耶稣藉着死拯救我们，并相信祂的复活大能，将会与祂永远同在。我们在世上经历的痛苦和眼泪，到了天堂将转为喜乐。所以无论我们活着或死去都是赢家，“因我活着就是基督，我死了就有益处” (腓立比书1章21节) 。

Pray:

Dear Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on You, whether I face difficulty in life or death. Let me find security and peace in You.

亲爱的耶稣，无论我面对何种生死困境，
帮助我专注地仰望祢。让我在祢里面得享安稳与平静。

Read: Philippians 1:12–26 

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christwhat has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[c]20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22 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! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ,which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 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, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

整理：于姊妹