FAR BETTER
Philippians 1:20-25 NKJV
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
Paul is writing to a group of believers who have been a big help to him. They have financially supported his ministry and seemed to be doing fairly well as a church. They did have some issues with unity that Paul addressed, but for the most part, this is considered one of Paul’s most positive letters.
In the first chapter, we find Paul at a crossroads. His heart is to see Jesus magnified. In other words, Paul lived to see Jesus lifted up and glorified. He even went as far as to profess that even if some preachers had bad motives for preaching the gospel, as long as Christ was preached, he was rejoicing. But Paul is nearing the end of his assignment on earth and is debating as to whether to go on to heaven or stay on earth.
I find it quite interesting that we can see Paul work through the process of whether to go to heaven or stay on earth. Paul says that to live is Christ. If he stays on earth, it will be because the Lord wants him to. To die would be a gain for Paul. The man had been through many difficult situations during his time of preaching Christ. Paul had lived a hard life for Christ’s sake. But he also knew that if he stayed on earth, it would be a fruitful time. That his time on earth would be productive for the Philippians. Then he states that he is deliberating about the choice to go or stay. He is hard-pressed between the two choices.
I have talked to many people who were in the hospital or dealing with a sickness or just nearing the twilight of their lives. I don’t know that I have ever heard someone say to me, “Alan, I have a tough choice to make, go to heaven or stay here.” But Paul speaks as if the choice is totally up to him. He wanted to go and be with Christ, which is far better. I love those words. For a believer, to go be with Christ is far better than life down here. Far better. Not a little better or marginally better. To depart, notice Paul does not say die, and be with Christ is far better. I have gone to this passage many times in speaking with believers who had a loved one depart. The departed did not cease to exist; they just left for another place. A far better place.
When we read verse 24, we see a great picture of what love looks like. Paul stated that to remain in the flesh, he is speaking of his spirit man, would be better for the Philippians. They still need him. So Paul chooses to stay. Better for him to depart and go be with Christ, but the church in Philippi needed him, so he stayed. That’s pretty powerful. Paul made a choice, and after deciding to stay, he was confident that he would remain and continue to help the Philippian church so that they would make progress in their faith. And as their faith progressed, it would be accompanied by joy. Love does what is best for others. The best thing for Paul would have been to depart and go to heaven. But the best thing for the Philippian church would be to stay and help their faith. Love stayed.
APPLICATION
Heaven will be far better than our life here on earth. But for many of us, it’s not time to go. We need to stay in order to help others. But for those who have already departed, we can rejoice for them. They are still alive, just not in this realm. They will still remember you when you arrive in heaven. And because heaven is far better, they would not come back if given the choice. It seems as if we have some say as to going or staying. If Paul had a choice, then there must be that option. I am not totally sure how that works. So, I purpose to live a submitted life to Christ, and when He says go, I’m gone. Until then, I would rather stay and be productive, so Christ is honored in me.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for the promise of a far better life beyond this realm. But strengthen me to stay until all my work is done.