“For to
me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this
will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am
hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ,
which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for
you.” Philippians 1:21-24 NKJV
I
expect that most believers who have spent time reading and studying the Word
have favorite stories or individuals that they either relate to or use as inspiration. One person I especially seem to relate to is
the apostle Paul. It took a while for me
to figure it out but in the end I decided that one of the biggest reasons I
enjoy studying his life and letters is that just like him, I struggle. Now in truth, I think it’s probably a given
that we all could say that, for, in all honesty, we all struggle at times trying
to live a godly life in an ungodly world.
So today, especially in light of where the world seems to be going in a
hurry, I thought we would look at this passage Paul wrote to the church at
Phillipi.
I
can’t tell you the numbers of people I have talked to that see eternity with Jesus
as not just something to look forward to, but to earnestly desire. Paul makes his feelings very clear when he says
that “to
die is gain”. To many, that might seem like he is looking to take the easy way out but he also makes the point that, “But if I live on in the flesh, this will
mean fruit from my labor”. Now
at first glance we might all agree that this simply describes what we all feel
at times but Paul takes it a little further when he reveals he is “hard-pressed
between the two”.
That
particular phrase in the Greek is actually translated from just one word, “synechō,”, which means: “to hold
together, i.e. to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a
prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy:—constrain,
hold, keep in, press, lie sick of, stop, be in a strait, straiten, be taken
with, throng”. The idea Paul is
trying to convey is that this is not just a simple “wish” to be somewhere else,
but a desire so strong that it produces a physical struggle which affects his
whole life. So consider this; if Paul is
someone we should look to as an example, is something wrong in our lives if we
don’t feel the same way?
I
think a clue to answering that question comes from Paul’s choice of words when
he says he wants to “depart”. That word in
the Greek is analýō, which literally
means “to break up, or depart”. In Paul’s time, this word was used
primarily by three different groups of people, those being sailors, soldiers,
and farmers. Now if that sounds curious,
let me explain. Sailors would use this
word when they untied the ropes holding their boat to the dock when they were
ready to set sail for another port.
Soldiers on the other hand, used it when they were breaking camp and
preparing to move to another site.
Farmers would also use this word at the end of the day when they removed
the yoke from whatever animal they were using to do the work.
This
last example is especially relevant in that our Lord Jesus Christ also used it as an
analogy to encourage us as believers.
“Come
to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest
for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
Just
like Paul, we know the time will come when our yoke is lifted, we will cast
off the lines holding us here, and we will pack up and move to our permanent
home. Yet when he wrote these words,
Paul was still here on earth and understood there was a reason. As strong as his desire to be with the Lord
was, he knew there was still work to be done and he was the one God wanted to
use for that purpose. As he told the
church at Phillipi, “Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” Paul was willing to put his desire on
hold for as long as it was necessary to fulfill the work God had for him.
As
believers, we should all understand that we are here in order to spread the
gospel of Jesus Christ in whatever way He has chosen for us to do so. The mark of a committed believer is the
willingness to put their own desires on hold and put the needs of others
first. Paul will go on to say this in
the next chapter.
"Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own
interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV
When
Paul revealed his struggle between his desire to depart and his willingness to
stay, he also said “yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.” The reasoning behind this statement
is Paul’s acknowledgment that it was not his decision to make, but God’s. When I have had the opportunity to talk with
others who share Paul’s desire to depart I always tell them this; if you are
still here then God has something for you to do. I previously asked the question if we don't share these same feelings as Paul, is there something wrong with us? As believers, I believe we should all have
this same attitude Paul had, and if not, ask ourselves the question "are we
too comfortable in this life"? I have
heard the expression “too heavenly minded to be any earthly good”, but in
truth, is there not another side to that statement? Is it possible we can be too earthly minded to be any heavenly
good?
My
personal feeling is that as believers we should all share this struggle of
Paul’s. The more we know about heaven
should certainly affect what we think about our life here on earth. As this world seems to be rapidly spiraling
downward, our desire should naturally spiral upward. Death for the believer is not a departure,
but an arrival. Therefore, until God decides to
take us home, we should share Paul’s desire to do whatever work God has for us
while we are still here.
If
you are reading this today and your desire is to spend eternity in heaven, but
you have never made the decision to accept the gift of salvation God has
offered you by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, I urge you to do it
today. You can do that by simply asking
Him to make you one of His own by praying a prayer like this.
Dear Lord Jesus, I
know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from
my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my
personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
"And he
brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:30-31
NKJV
Keep
watching.
