The word “DEPART,”
was used of an army pulling up the pins of a tent so they could begin the march also of a ship that had its ropes “loosed to untie,” so the ship was loosed from that which held it back, be it ropes or anchor and free to set sail and fulfill its purpose! Paul’s Desire was to “Depart” and be with Christ and he was caught in between that “desire” and his desire to remain and be a help to others! What a beautiful picture of his heart from a difficult place where he was “shut in” but his heart’s desire was to be with Christ but also his desire to Serve and benefit OTHERS!
The word “BETTER” means The highest rank of Good, It is Better, It is THE Best, the Most Prominent, Superior…- to Be WITH The Lord Jesus Christ!
1. – This is the Christian’s – DESIRE – “To Depart…”
2. – This is the Christian’s – DESTINATION – “To Be WITH Christ.”
3. – This is The Christian’s – DILEMMA – “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. 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,“-{Phil 1:23-25}… he was OTHERS Conscious and even in the hard and difficult place he found himself in, his concern was OTHERS…
4.- This Is The Christian’s – DEPOSIT – Their Life For Others Spiritual Growth. “It is more Vital for YOUR SAKE That I Remain in the body…For YOUR Progress of Joy In Their Faith.” Until we “DEPART’- let us seek BY His power and Grace to FOCUS OUTWARD for OTHERS Benefit, and in the context for the BELIEVERS “…PROGRESS… AND JOY… IN THE FAITH.” That is truly Living, He looked out for their spiritual growth in the faith.
If You are still this side of “DEPARTING…” then SEEK to SPEND YOUR Life… DEPOSITING
INTO OTHERS FOR their benefit, “…FOR THEIR PROGRESS of Joy In Their Faith..,” What ever your place, be it pleasant or difficult…As Paul shares, You too, Do Have Purpose to Live On…to Benefit The Spiritual Well- being and Growth of OTHERS.
THINK About what you are Seeking To DEPOSIT your Life into and to Gain from it. Is it Things or People, and to what end?” Deposit Your Life into Others, as in this context for Paul, It was for the “progress,” which speaks of going forward against resistance at times for the spiritual growth of others walk of faith with the LORD and that their Joy, inner gladness, delight would increase in their journey. Deposit your life, why? “…For Jesus Sake!” {Read 2 Cor 4:5}
Paul was writing to others from a hard place, a difficult place, a confining place, “Shut In, But Not Shut Out” about expressing his love and concern for…OTHERS… His was the… UPWARD LOOK and as a Result,The…OUTWARD LOOK- Others!. We all have one life to live. We all have something to share to help others in their walk. Keep Depositing your Life into Others, For Jesus sake! Good Job, Keep Going, HE is worth it!