Philippians 1:22-24
“But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes.”
I love this. Paul is so other-worldly. Most are trying to accumulate for themselves. Not Paul. To many, his mindset is alien. Some seek to defraud others to put more in their corner.
I saw the Chosen the other night. It had Jesus and His disciples running into some roman soldiers. They demanded that they carry their gear. The disciples were grumbling and the soldiers were mocking. They looked silly, as they were forced to wear their helmets. As they came to the mile marker, Jesus kept going. There were all mystified. However, the soldiers saw the point and were shamed. They began to take the helmets back and help those that were struggling. All but Jesus were shocked. That’s how different Paul’s thoughts were.
As we follow Christ, we gain the mind of Christ (I Cor 2:16). Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God”. The natural course of things is to be conformed to the world.
We renew our minds by first being born again and receiving God’s nature. Then we fill ourselves with God’s Word, the bible. Hebrews 4:12 says it’s living and active. Jesus’ parable of the sower demonstrates that. As the bible is planted in us, then it grows God’s ways in us. We become more loving and forgiving. This in an angry and selfish world. We also become alien to it.
That’s why Paul is so different. We gain the same mindset. Paul is torn between going to be with God and staying here and ministering to the saints.
Let’s focus on heaven. It is going to be amazing. For different reasons that one may think. It’s not because we’ll see and do amazing things. We will, but there is a greater reason. David understood it. He said in Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” It’s God. As we get to know God, we are so blessed. We can compare it to a great person that’s a friend. We all love to be around them. This example pales in comparison to God.
I think of Moses as He would spend time with God, he glowed (Exodus 34:35). We become different as we spend time with and walk with the Lord. David says in Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” I know this is greek to one that doesn’t know the Lord, but it’s true and only half as great as can be described.
God is what makes heaven so great. That’s why Paul yearns to go there. We are hooked on Him as well. We keep coming back to Him. Peter makes a great comment in John 6:68. Jesus knew many were following Him because He fed them, so He says something difficult to weed out the crowd. Many leave. Jesus looks to His disciples and asks them if they will leave also. ‘Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”‘ There is no place else any of us can go to receive what God gives.
We will have difficulty in life. Following Christ brings its own challenges. However, for most leaving isn’t an option. We are like Peter, “to whom shall we go?” In our difficulties God comforts us and provides reasons for them. He will often use our hard times to be a blessing to others.
Like Paul, we love to be used of the Lord in the lives of others. We come down to the same statement; It would be amazing to go on to be with the Lord. However, it’s a blessing to be a blessing to others.
Thank You Lord, for calling us. You’ve given us so much. Any sort of difficulty is now seen as an opportunity to be a blessing or to enjoy seeing how You will turn it around. Thank You.