The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
"Far 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 best thing for every born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ would be departure from this present life into the direct spiritual presence of God. "Far better… with Christ" declares the Apostle Paul of a truth that applies to all who know the Lord Jesus. Of course, this does not mean that we should pray for our passing, or God forbid, in any way seek to hasten it. Nor should we fail to appreciate and enjoy the blessings of this life, be it other people or the many tangible gifts our Heavenly Father presently bestows. Indeed, so long as He wills us to abide in this present life, we must view ourselves as being where we need to be.
Primary in this regard is our calling to serve as blessing to others - "To abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Indeed, salvation delivered us from a life wherein the unholy trinity of "I, Me, and My" governed our being and doings. Devotion to God and others rather leads and enables us, as confirmed by the two greatest commands:
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Mark 12:30-31).
Of course, we still sometimes think, act, and speak as if our own needs and desires are paramount. We can walk after the flesh wherein a "law of sin" still resides (Romans 7:22-25). This influence presently residing in our earthy members and faculties tempts us to follow the desires of "I, me, and my." However, the love of Christ and "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" abides in our spirits, working to overcome selfishness by revealing the Lord Jesus' devotion to His Father and others (Romans 8:2). Thereby, the glory of God and "more needful for you" comprises the reason for our abiding in the world rather than God calling us to the "far better" glory of His direct presence. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us" (Romans 5:5).
In the moment we pass through "the valley of the shadow of death," we will realize it was indeed a shadow (Psalm 23:4). The substance of "Thou art with me" will overwhelm us with the realization of life, peace, joy, and the wonder of God's "far better" goodness that surpasses any blessedness we have ever known. Let us plant this truth deeply in our hearts as we remember that our earthly sojourn abides not primarily for ourselves, but for the glory of God and the blessing of others.
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."
(Hebrews 2:14-15)
Weekly Memory Verse
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
(I Peter 5:8)
7729
No comments:
Post a Comment