Post by Les Brewer on Oct 5, 2023 17:55:30 GMT
Ready to Go By: Bill Crowder
Click here for the Audio Message
I desire to depart and be with Christ . . . but it is more necessary . . . that I remain.
Philippians 1:23–24
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Philippians 1:21–30
During the coronavirus pandemic, many suffered the loss of loved ones. On 27 November, 2020, our family joined their ranks when Bee Crowder, my ninety-five-year-old mum, died—though not from COVID-19. Like so many other families, we weren’t able to gather to grieve Mum, honour her life or encourage one another. Instead, we used other means to celebrate her loving influence—and we found great comfort from her insistence that, if God called her home, she was ready and even eager to go. That confident hope, evidenced in so much of Mum’s living, was also how she faced death.
Facing possible death, Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. . . . I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:21, 23–24). Even with his legitimate desire to stay and help others, Paul was drawn to his heavenly home with Christ.
Such confidence changes how we view the moment when we step from this life to the next. Our hope can give great comfort to others in their own season of loss. Although we grieve the loss of those we love, believers in Jesus don’t grieve like those “who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). True hope is the possession of those who know Him.
Reflect & Pray
How would you describe your response to the threatening realities in our world? How could the hope Jesus gives you change your outlook on the struggles of life?
God of all hope, please remind me of Jesus’ death-conquering victory.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Philippians, Paul models the complete transformation that being “united with Christ” (2:1) brings. Even death can become an occasion to honour and draw closer to Jesus, to “not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (1:29). The apostle’s words that “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v. 21) aren’t a death wish but a celebration of the freedom Jesus brings from a paralyzing fear of death. In both life and death, we draw closer to Christ as we follow His example of self-giving love ( 2:3–8), “becoming like him in his death” (3:10).
Monica La Rose
Philippians 1:21-30
King James Version
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Click here for the Audio Message
I desire to depart and be with Christ . . . but it is more necessary . . . that I remain.
Philippians 1:23–24
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Philippians 1:21–30
During the coronavirus pandemic, many suffered the loss of loved ones. On 27 November, 2020, our family joined their ranks when Bee Crowder, my ninety-five-year-old mum, died—though not from COVID-19. Like so many other families, we weren’t able to gather to grieve Mum, honour her life or encourage one another. Instead, we used other means to celebrate her loving influence—and we found great comfort from her insistence that, if God called her home, she was ready and even eager to go. That confident hope, evidenced in so much of Mum’s living, was also how she faced death.
Facing possible death, Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. . . . I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:21, 23–24). Even with his legitimate desire to stay and help others, Paul was drawn to his heavenly home with Christ.
Such confidence changes how we view the moment when we step from this life to the next. Our hope can give great comfort to others in their own season of loss. Although we grieve the loss of those we love, believers in Jesus don’t grieve like those “who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). True hope is the possession of those who know Him.
Reflect & Pray
How would you describe your response to the threatening realities in our world? How could the hope Jesus gives you change your outlook on the struggles of life?
God of all hope, please remind me of Jesus’ death-conquering victory.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Philippians, Paul models the complete transformation that being “united with Christ” (2:1) brings. Even death can become an occasion to honour and draw closer to Jesus, to “not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (1:29). The apostle’s words that “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v. 21) aren’t a death wish but a celebration of the freedom Jesus brings from a paralyzing fear of death. In both life and death, we draw closer to Christ as we follow His example of self-giving love ( 2:3–8), “becoming like him in his death” (3:10).
Monica La Rose
Philippians 1:21-30
King James Version
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
