{"id":365,"date":"2022-02-12T13:18:52","date_gmt":"2022-02-12T13:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=365"},"modified":"2022-02-12T13:18:59","modified_gmt":"2022-02-12T13:18:59","slug":"dilemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=365","title":{"rendered":"Dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

. . . according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that<\/em> with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  But if I am<\/em> to live on<\/em> in the flesh, this will mean<\/em> fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.  But I am hard-pressed from both directions,<\/em> having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that<\/em> is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.  (Philippians 1:20-24, NASB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Apostle Paul writes of a dilemma:  He doesn’t know whether it’s better to be alive, or to die.  For those of us who are terminal, it’s an interesting question to ponder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul, in another excerpt from his letter to the Philippian church, begins by stating that no matter what happens, he doesn’t want to be put to shame, but rather that Jesus would be glorified by everything he does.  This includes whether he lives or dies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul goes on and writes of his predicament:  ” . . . to live is Christ, to die is gain.”  Ponder this:  If Paul continues on in this world, he has Jesus.  But if he dies, his “gain” is that he has Jesus for eternity.  He says he doesn’t “know which to choose.”  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Philippians 1:21 image.\u00a0 Found at heartlight,\u00a0https:\/\/www.heartlight.org\/gallery\/7483.html<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alive, he speaks of “fruitful labor.”\u00a0 God commissioned him to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, and that’s what he’s been doing, and will continue to do.\u00a0 He stresses at the end of the passage that it’s better for the Philippians that he remain in this world.\u00a0 He could continue to teach them.\u00a0 But dead, and he could go to be physically with Jesus forever.\u00a0 Hence the quandary.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I often wonder which would be the better choice.  Here on earth, I’ve got Jesus.  When I die, I’ll be with Jesus for eternity.  Ultimately it’s up to God the Father.  He has numbered my days.  While I’m here, it’s up to me to love God and love other people.  As we used to say in the Air Force, I’m “present for duty.”  I don’t know how many more days I’ll be here, but every morning I ask God to help me make the most of my day, to give me the strength to do what He wants me to do, and that I’ll work for His glory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s great to have Jesus both here on earth, and there in heaven forever.\u00a0 Do you have Him?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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