Which Is Better?

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”  Philippians 1:23-24

The Apostle Paul was writing about how much better that it would be to be in heaven with Jesus.  All cares, worries, woes, sorrows, and tears would be gone forever.  He said that he was “caught in the middle” between the wonders and glories of heaven and the need to continue to spread the gospel to a lost world so that more folks would come to know Christ.  The former was a desire of a personal nature:  leaving this old sin-cursed world behind and spending eternity with Christ in paradise.  The latter was a desire that benefitted others, but kept Paul suffering persecution by those who hated the gospel, those under Satan’s control.

I understand his dilemma.  I, too, am sometimes homesick for my eternal home.  I want to see Jesus and all of my loved ones who have gone on before me.  I have more family members in heaven than I do on earth.  However, I still enjoy living my life here despite all of the turmoil in the world because God gives us joy in the midst of chaos.  I am reminded of a funny story that you have probably heard before, but I am going to repeat it anyway.  A Sunday School teacher was standing before her class of children and asked them, “Who wants to go to heaven?”  All the children raised their hands except one little boy.  She asked, “Johnny, don’t you want to go to heaven?”  Johnny replied, “Yes, one day, but I thought you were getting up a load to go today!”  We smile at that, but isn’t that how most Christians feel?  They desire to go to heaven, but they’re in no hurry.

Leaving this old sin sickened world behind sounds enticing, but, at the same time there is still much work to do here.  I remember when my husband passed away, my son remarked that there would be one less person to pray for him.  Some of us believers may be the only folks praying for specific individuals or families for their salvation, healing, or other needs.  I think most lost folks (the term “lost” is used to designate those who have not repented and trusted Christ-Luke 19:10) appreciate our prayers even if they don’t acknowledge it.  I’ve never ran across anyone for whom I was praying who asked me to stop praying for them.  There are many men and women who don’t know Christ as Lord and Savior, but nevertheless believe that there is power in prayer.

As Christians are persecuted more and more for their faith (and believe me that there are many in this nation who would love for us all to just disappear, and one day we will), it behooves us who are committed to Christ to stand for righteousness in a world of wickedness.  The fewer there are of us, the harder it will be on those who remain and who will be responsible for spreading the gospel until God brings it to a halt.  Therefore I must use what time I have left wisely.  People still need the word, and I need to tell them.