“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)
From the moment he realized who Jesus Christ was, the apostle Paul devoted his whole life to Him. He took it for granted that every Christian’s primary goal in life is to please the Lord. For we belong to Jesus and are closely connected to Him “whether we live or whether we die”. Nothing can change this and nothing is more important than our relationship with Jesus.
In another letter, Paul writes that Jesus died for all “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
In this context, it is also important to read Paul’s motivation in saying this. He is not trying to force his fellow believers into 24/7 service to God as a payment for their salvation. Instead, Paul says he is controlled by the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14) and his service to God is a fruit of his freedom from sin (Romans 6:22). It is not a burden, but a pleasure for him to “live for the Lord”. And since Paul is sure of his salvation, he is not afraid to die. He knows that even after death, he is safe with his Lord and Savior.
How could you devote your life to God’s glory?