If we want to be a true Christian ourselves and live an authentic Christian life, it is imperative that we understand the essence of real Christianity and not be taken in by a caricature. Additionally, it is vital that the world see the real thing, not some pale substitute impersonating the genuine article.
Simply put, I am a Christian because Christ is my life. This is true Christianity. This is salvation by a Savior. This is what Paul was talking about when he said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Christ was Paul’s life. His whole life centered on Christ. Indeed, Christ was the power by which Paul lived.

This text really has a companion text. It is Galatians 2:20. Both are written by Paul and complement one another. One explains the other and both taken together reveal the essence of true Christianity. Let’s look for a moment and how Galatians 2:20 explains Philippians 1:21.
When I say that I am a Christian because Christ is my life I mean, firstly, that I have surrendered to him. You see, the beginning point for us is the call of Christ. Actually, that is not the beginning point for God, only for us. God began before the foundation of the world. And Jesus completed his work of paying the penalty for our sins when he died on the cross. But practically it begins for us when we heed the call of Christ and surrender our lives to him.

In Galatians 2:20, Paul expressed in this way: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live…." He saw his response to the call of Christ as a laying down of his life. It wasn’t merely a commitment of a part of his life. It was a sacrifice of his life. It was a putting to death of Paul. This is the ultimate surrender we are called to make.

It doesn’t in there, however. For Christ to be my life means that I have received his life. There is an exchange. Bonhoeffer spoke of it in the quote we read you. We give our life to Christ and he gives us his life in return. Paul goes on to say in Galatians 2: 20: "… but Christ lives in me…." He had been crucified–– he was dead–– but yet he was alive. How could this be? Well, his old life had been exchanged for a new life. He gave God Paul and God gave Paul the life of Christ. Christ became his life.

Authentic Christianity is a living relationship whereby the living Lord lives in us and through us. Authentic Christianity is receiving the life of God and living by the power of that life. It is allowing God to take charge. It is surrendering to his control. Now that I have received the life of Christ, I live by a new principle. I live by faith. Look again at Galatians 2:20: "The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." We no longer live based on merely human principles–– we now live by faith. Faith is the guiding principle of life for every believer. That’s why we are called a believer. We trust God. We stand on his promises. We believe his Word.

This is entirely different than a religion made up of rules and regulations. This is a living relationship with Christ. It depends on communion and communication with him. It is not a matter of amassing greater knowledge. It is a matter of getting to know him more and more. It is spending time with him. It is listening for his voice. It is depending on his power. It is resting in his love. It is about following Jesus.

What is the foundation for your life? Is Christ? If he is, then your life will be filled with joy and hope. Paul saw that there was no way he could lose. He said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Remember, he was in prison and there was a chance that he could be executed. But even that was a win. If he lived, he would live for Christ. If he died, he would gain so much more. He would gain heaven. He would go to be with Christ. He would receive his eternal reward. He couldn’t wait.

If for you to live is Christ, then death is gain. We gain so much. We gain a new home in heaven. It will be a mansion without a mortgage. We gain a new family even as we are reunited with those we have loved and lost for a little while. We gain a new body, as these old worn out bodies are transformed in an instant into glorious eternal bodies. There will be no more pain or suffering and we will be perfectly whole. We gain a new joy, as every tear is wiped from our eyes. And we can enjoy it forever. "When we’ve been there ten thousand years–– no, ten million years–– bright shining as the sun; we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise then when we first begun."

If for you to live is Christ, then to die is gain. This is the essence of true Christianity. True Christianity means that Christ is my life.