Hard Pressed Between the Two

I have already spoken to you on Paul's statement – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, but Paul wanted to elaborate more on what he means by this, and he does so in the verses which I just read to you. He tells us that, actually, he is hard-pressed between life and death. What he shall choose, he cannot tell, he says. This, I would say, his being hard-pressed, is the state of a Christian who is wise and mature. This wise perspective of Paul's will become apparent if we will ask ourselves a few questions. 1st of all – Did Paul really have a choice as to whether he would live or die? 2nd – What does it mean to depart and be with Christ? And 3rd – What would it mean for him to remain? The answers that Paul gives to these questions will help us to better understand what it will mean for us to live to Christ, and to see dying as gain. So let's look into this together.