Dr. Tan Tech Zinc

DAILY REFLECTION
25 Aug 2026

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭

Born into a Sikh family in India, Sundar Singh experienced a dramatic transformation when, as a young man, he encountered Jesus Christ. His conversion did not merely change his religion; it changed the entire direction of his life. He surrendered himself to Christ and devoted his life to making Jesus known.

His journey was far from easy. Sundar Singh faced rejection, persecution, physical hardship and danger as he travelled through difficult regions proclaiming the Gospel. Yet suffering did not silence him. Instead, it strengthened his conviction.

He once expressed his desire “to be a Christian not only in name but also in reality.” His life reflected the words of Paul:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
— Philippians 1:21

“To live is Christ” means that Christ is not merely part of our lives—He becomes the centre of our lives. Our identity is no longer defined primarily by our ambitions, possessions, careers or achievements. Instead, we begin to ask: How can my life glorify Christ?

Sundar Singh understood this. He was willing to surrender comfort, security and even personal safety because he had discovered something more precious—the presence of Christ.

But what does Paul mean by “to die is gain”?

It does not mean that Christians should seek suffering or death. Life is God’s precious gift, and we are called to steward it faithfully. Rather, Paul was expressing his confidence that death does not have the final word. For those who belong to Christ, beyond death is the promise of being with Him forever.

This truth changes how we face suffering.

Trials are painful. Loss hurts. The future can be uncertain. Faith does not require us to deny these realities. But suffering need not destroy our hope, because our present circumstances are not the end of our story.

We may never face the dangers Sundar Singh faced, but every believer is called to the same surrender.

When life is comfortable, live for Christ.
When the road becomes difficult, hold on to Christ.
When the future is uncertain, trust Christ.

Sundar Singh reminds us that Christianity is more than carrying the name of Christ; it is allowing Christ to possess our whole life.

“When Christ becomes our life, even suffering cannot take away our hope.”‬‬