Torn Between the Two

DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS

TORN BETWEEN THE TWO

Phil 1:18-26

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.   20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

NIV

Torn between the two is the main focus of this portion of this letter. It would seem we have something to learn here as well. There is no question that being with our Lord is far better than remaining in this body. Remaining here in this body has several issues which give us some amount of trouble. First, as it ages, it develops these aches and pains which keep us from doing many of the things our youthful form enjoyed. Secondly, this aging body has other problems with health issues. It seems the cold is colder. What has been advertised as the golden years of life seems more like anything other than golden. However, what we can be confident of is that as long we are still here, God has something for us to do for the furtherance or betterment of his kingdom. We are not here for our own benefit, but for his. It seems a bit judgmental, but we are not thinking in that vein, but rather questioning why it seems so many store away so much so they can do nothing after reaching a certain age. Paul makes the point that if he is to go on living in the body, it means fruitful labor for him. That surely appears he has no plans for retirement, even from doing the work of the Lord. Again, not judging, but questioning how ministers retire from ministry. How does that work? If we are in the body, then we are to have fruitful labor. This agrees wholeheartedly with what God told Adam when he was cast out of the garden. Adam was told that he would have to work by the sweat of his brow all the days of this life. So then as long as we are in this body we will be about some form of fruitful labor. Whether that is actually working at some form of employment, or in some capacity in the ministry, we know God will sustain our physical form until he decides to bring us home. To die would certainly be gain, as we would be in the everlasting presence of our Lord, in a glorified state. No more aging, no more aches and pains, no more suffering any illness, no more conflicts, just pure joy and peace in his presence. However, remaining here in this body is Christ. Paul says to live is Christ. That is to say, all we do and all we say are to reflect Christ, and we are to continue to do so until we die. The other question which comes to mind is Paul says he desires to depart, die, and be with the Lord, but for the sake of those believers it is more necessary he stays. If our desire is to depart, then why do we make such an effort to stay? The only reason should be so that we can benefit others. It is necessary that we stay so that we can aid others in their progress and joy in the faith. Our reason for staying is so others will overflow with the joy of the Lord on account of us. So we are torn between the two, but as long as we are here, we labor on.