This of course was Paul's statement in his letter to the Philippians (Php 1:21), where he stated that if he goes on living it will mean fruitful labour in bringing people to Christ. But he then states: "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (v23).
Paul of course meant that while his work for the gospel on earth was very beneficial now, he would much rather be with Christ in heaven. That should be the goal of any Christian - we should consider our work here to be important for the gospel, but our desire should be to spend eternity with God. The joys of heaven will definately outway any enjoyment we can have in this life. As it says in 1 Co 2:9:
However, I find this very difficult myself. While I understand that heaven will be an amazing place, and to be in the presence of God for eternity is the best thing possible, I find it very hard to adopt the same view as Paul and basically say that I am ready to die and be with Christ.
I am enjoying my life!
Perhaps as I get older I may feel more like Paul did in that letter, but at the moment, while I know I will enjoy heaven, I'm not quite ready for it yet.
As I am still here, I presume God agrees with me on this one.killer mobile
Paul of course meant that while his work for the gospel on earth was very beneficial now, he would much rather be with Christ in heaven. That should be the goal of any Christian - we should consider our work here to be important for the gospel, but our desire should be to spend eternity with God. The joys of heaven will definately outway any enjoyment we can have in this life. As it says in 1 Co 2:9:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who live him."
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who live him."
However, I find this very difficult myself. While I understand that heaven will be an amazing place, and to be in the presence of God for eternity is the best thing possible, I find it very hard to adopt the same view as Paul and basically say that I am ready to die and be with Christ.
I am enjoying my life!
Perhaps as I get older I may feel more like Paul did in that letter, but at the moment, while I know I will enjoy heaven, I'm not quite ready for it yet.
As I am still here, I presume God agrees with me on this one.killer mobile
Comments
I have a chronic illness. Every day my body pains me much. I've prayed for 20 years for healing trying to apply the "by your faith it will be done unto you" principal. To no avail. So I suffer. Fortunately I am functional in my illness. So I wander about at my job and at church groaning. I am not depressed or morbidly suicidal and I love Jesus with all my heart. I'm on the worship teamat church and everyone says I have such a joyful spirit and I witness to people and have tons of friends and I go to the carribean regularly to go scuba diving on those amazing walls. I yearnfor heaven so much. To me it is going to be the greatest gift ever god gave me. Better by far than winning he lottery or even getting healed from this cursed affliction. Turn your eyes away tom this wretched world my friend. Heaven is the cure and goal and the greatest fulfillment of our dreams. Let collosians chapter 3 guide your thinking in this area. "set your mind on the things above" you will get there. God will allow some affliction to set your heart on that better world. Don't lose your faith when the black servant of God comes and cuts your enjoyment of this life away. You CAN live without enjoying this life. Enjoying life is not Gods automatic gift. To anynd who is racing this in pain or a unsatisfied miserable life. Be cares and "he who endures to the end shall be saved" Hang on my friends. killer mobile
I have a chronic illness. Every day my body pains me much. I've prayed for 20 years for healing trying to apply the "by your faith it will be done unto you" principal. To no avail. So I suffer. Fortunately I am functional in my illness. So I wander about at my job and at church groaning. I am not depressed or morbidly suicidal and I love Jesus with all my heart. I'm on the worship teamat church and everyone says I have such a joyful spirit and I witness to people and have tons of friends and I go to the carribean regularly to go scuba diving on those amazing walls. I yearnfor heaven so much. To me it is going to be the greatest gift ever god gave me. Better by far than winning he lottery or even getting healed from this cursed affliction. Turn your eyes away tom this wretched world my friend. Heaven is the cure and goal and the greatest fulfillment of our dreams. Let collosians chapter 3 guide your thinking in this area. "set your mind on the things above" you will get there. God will allow some affliction to set your heart on that better world. Don't lose your faith when the black servant of God comes and cuts your enjoyment of this life away. You CAN live without enjoying this life. Enjoying life is not Gods automatic gift. To anyone who is reading this in pain or an unsatisfied miserable life. God cares and "he who endures to the end shall be saved" Hang on my friends. killer mobile
I have a chronic illness. Every day my body pains me much. I've prayed for 20 years for healing trying to apply the "by your faith it will be done unto you" principal. To no avail. So I suffer. Fortunately I am functional in my illness. So I wander about at my job and at church groaning. I am not depressed or morbidly suicidal and I love Jesus with all my heart. I'm on the worship teamat church and everyone says I have such a joyful spirit and I witness to people and have tons of friends and I go to the carribean regularly to go scuba diving on those amazing walls. I yearnfor heaven so much. To me it is going to be the greatest gift ever god gave me. Better by far than winning he lottery or even getting healed from this cursed affliction. Turn your eyes away tom this wretched world my friend. Heaven is the cure and goal and the greatest fulfillment of our dreams. Let collosians chapter 3 guide your thinking in this area. "set your mind on the things above" you will get there. God will allow some affliction to set your heart on that better world. Don't lose your faith when the black servant of God comes and cuts your enjoyment of this life away. You CAN live without enjoying this life. Enjoying life is not Gods automatic gift. To anyone who is reading this in pain or an unsatisfied miserable life. God cares and "he who endures to the end shall be saved" Hang on my friends. killer mobile