“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
Of all the emotions available for us to experience, I believe one of the most desirable is simply feeling comfortable in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in. The unfortunate reality right now, though, seems to be quite the opposite of that. In fact, from what I have read and heard from fellow believers, it would seem that although the entire world finds itself at present in a very uncomfortable place, the body of Christ seems to be experiencing an even greater share of discomfort. I would suggest that this is simply a result of the knowledge that this world is not our home, and we as believers are anticipating the deliverance promised of spending eternity with the Father in heaven.
While I and many others feel that the rapture is certainly close, the fact remains we are still here which means we as a body still have a purpose to fulfill. It has become obvious in the past year, and even in the past few weeks that this is becoming more and more difficult as Christians are being called out and the beliefs we share as a body are coming under attack and labeled as extremist. Remaining faithful to the Word in difficult times, especially as we see the day approaching, is proving to be a very uncomfortable place, yet it isn’t a new one as you can see from the passage above.
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 lately 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, could there be 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 think if anything, recent events have made life for many of us very uncomfortable and it would seem the consensus is that it is not going to get better but worse.
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. The rapture for the believer is not a departure,
but an arrival. While many believe that 2021 will prove to be the time of
our departure from this world, 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, no matter how uncomfortable it might prove to be.
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.
