In October of 1949, a young, 21-year-old Christian, wise beyond his years, wrote in his journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Seven years later, Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were speared to death by warriors from the Auca Tribe on a sand bar in the Curaray River of Ecuador.

As a 21-year-old, it may have been easy to say words about giving one’s life for Christ. But for Jim Elliot, he meant it, because, at just 28, he laid down his life so that others might believe in Christ. And that’s precisely what happened. Three years after his death, his widow Elizabeth Elliot along with Rachel Saint, widow of Nate Saint, one of the five men killed, went to live among the Huaorani tribe (the Aucas). Many came to Christ, and the New Testament was eventually translated into their tribal language. He truly lived and died so that others would come to Christ. 

These words of Jim Elliot are often quoted. So much so, that I fear they may lose their effect on many. His words reflect the truth of Scripture in many places. Jesus said in Luke 9, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?” 

Paul’s words in Philippians 1:21, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” is undoubtedly another scriptural basis for Elliot’s view of life and death. He lived it, and he died living it.

There is no loss in this life when we give ourselves to live for Christ. The Apostle Paul was willing to let go of everything he had held dear before coming to faith in Christ. “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). 

He didn’t really lose anything, He gained everything by being in relationship with Christ. For he is saying in essence, “When one compares what I gave up in this world to what I gained in Christ, there is no comparison.” In Jim Elliot’s view, we don’t get to keep the stuff of this world anyway. We are not meant to. What then are we to do? In the words of the great hymn, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

There is no loss when we live for Christ. Nor is there any loss when we die for Christ. As Paul said, “To die is gain.” Paul understood first hand that leaving this life to be in the presence of Christ is much better than remaining here. The words of Jim Elliot point us to the truth of the durable nature of our salvation. In Christ, we gain what we cannot lose. Whether in life or in death, our salvation is sure and cannot be lost. And so, “to die is gain.”

What are we to do? Our focus is not to be on dying, but on living in light of our absolute providence in Christ. By faith in Him, we will live with him. It is the Promise of promises. As Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” I pray you do believe this.

Whether we remain on in the “flesh” or “depart (to be) with Christ,” these familiar words of another mighty hymn express our hope:

 That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.