17 THE DESIRE

THE DESIRE

"For to me, to live is Christ—and to die is gain! If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: Idesireto depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!"Php 1:21-23

Reader, do you at all sympathize with Paul? Do you desire to leave the present scene of conflict, sorrow, and sin? Do you desire to depart from all that gratifies the flesh, and all that perplexes the soul—that you may be with Christ?

What a delightful assurance it is to the believer, that, "absent from the body—he will be present with the Lord!" To be with Christ, what happiness does this comprise! Surely one may say, "It is all my salvation and all my desire!" To be with Christ, what evils does this exclude! All sin, all sadness, all foes, all fears, all labors.

Well may Paul say, "it is better by far!"

Ah, how much better to be with Christ—than to be with the kindest relatives, the wisest friends, or in the most comfortable circumstances this world can furnish! To be with Christ—how far preferable to our present lot, where we are . . .
surrounded by foes,
annoyed by temptations,
perplexed with disappointments,
and made wretched by our sins! To be with Christ, that is to be . . .
perfectly holy,
perfectly happy, and
perfectly satisfied—forever!

Now—we mourn his absence, sigh for his presence, and would give all we possess at times—for one hour’s heart-melting communion with him!

Then—we shall be . . .
always with him,
exactly like him,
and forever praising him!

Better, surely it is, infinitely better—to be where Jesus is, to be with Jesus—than to be here in this howling wilderness, where there is . . .
so much sin,
so many dangers,
such briers and thorns,
such disease and death! My soul, seek such large communications of grace from God, seek such fellowship with the Holy Spirit—that you may rise above all your doubts, fears, carnality, and fleshly attachments; and say right heartily with the Apostle, "Idesireto depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" Yes, which is best of all!

"We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body—and at home with the Lord!"2 Corinthians 5:8