To Be With Christ

"For I am in a strait between the two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ which is far better." - Phil. 1:23.

The book of Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul when he was under house arrest by the Roman government, but as he stated, he was really a prisoner of Jesus Christ. This phrase shows how the Apostle regarded his imprisonment. He was there not by the will of the Roman Emperor, but by the will of his Lord because of his faithful allegiance to Christ. He knew his Lord could deliver him from his chains, just as miraculously as had earlier rescued Peter. The chains fell off from Peter's hands when the angel of the Lord came to deliver him. Paul knew the Lord could do no less for him and since He did not do so, was content in the will of his Lord. But the word of the Lord was not bound and from those prison walls the epistles of Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon issued forth, rich in profound spiritual truth.

There are lessons in this experience of the Apostle that we can apply to ourselves and take to heart. The Apostle addressed all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi together with the overseers and deacons. He mentions his fond remembrance of them, with thanks to God and supplication on their behalf, rejoicing for their fellowship in the gospel. They were one with him in love for the Lord and the furtherance of the gospel. In his final words, recalling the love they had shown in their generosity to supply his necessities and how they had fellowship with him in his affliction, he refers to them as my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown (Philippians 4:1,18).

Turning to the text from which the title is taken, we draw attention to the Diaglott (Greek to English Interlinear) translation with its clearer rendering supported by the context. It reads, "I am indeed, hard pressed by the two things, I have an earnest desire for the returning, and being with Christ, since it is very much to be preferred." The word in the original which is translated 'depart' in the Authorized Version is analusai and is given as “return” in Luke 12:36. Here the meaning is clear. The Apostle could not have been thinking of departing from this present life through death. That was one of the two 2 things he had already referred to in Phil. 1:20; the other being to continue in life. This third thing much to be preferred than the other two can therefore be seen as applying only to the return of Christ for then, and only then, would he be with Christ. This was the deep longing of his heart, as it is of every true child of God, the one in living Union with Christ here and now. The word - translated 'desire' in this text is one that is mostly used in connection with wrong or evil desires, when it is invariably rendered lusts. In this passage however, and in Luke 22:15 and 1 Thessalonians 2: 17, it is used in a righteous, tender, and noble sense. The essential meaning of the word, no matter how used, is that of craving, longing, a yearning, an intensity of desire. Used by our Lord when He partook of the last Passover and then instituted the Memorial feast alone with the immediate disciples, the word betokens the close identity with Him and looks forward to the day when they would drink the cup of joy, of victory and blessing new with Him in His Father's Kingdom.

In Philippians the Apostle speaks of his earnest longing to be with Christ and then, in his letter to the Thessalonians he expresses his great desire to see them again as he loved them so dearly. Writing to the Philippians, he does not speak of a desire either for life or death, but only of being with Christ. He knew that this transcendent joy and blessedness, in all its glorious reality, would be experienced only at the return of Christ. This had been specially revealed to him as he wrote the Thessalonians brethren, and “so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

What was it that created this intense love and longing within the heart of Paul who had been such a zealous opponent and persecutor of Christ and His followers? What changed the heart of a blasphemer into one that loved and adored? Furthermore, what explains the existence of this longing, this unusual and humanly unnatural intense desire in the hearts of many, to be with Christ, since after all, these have the same common origin as members of the fallen human race? Yet theirs is this same deep heartfelt longing which being with Christ alone can and will satisfy. It is not natural for one born of the flesh, of the earthy, to have such a desire and deep longing for Heaven, and to be with Christ.

Such a longing cannot be self-generated. There are two explanations as to its cause. First and foremost, indeed of necessity, it is 3 wrought by God who also has given us the earnest of the Spirit as a foretaste of that which is to come, the only three instances of the word in the original being translated earnest. A further and second explanation, a corollary of the first, is the experience in a personal and intimate sense of the love of God and of Christ, His Son throughout our earthly pilgrimage. This serves to increase the desire and longing. The will of God has brought those possessed of this ardent longing into a personal creation, God's workmanship. He works in them throughout their earthly pilgrimage to fulfill His marvelous purpose for them.

On their part, they also live for this same Divine purpose; they work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. They are brought into an entirely new life, the realm and life of the Spirit, having died to the flesh, to sin, and to the world. In Rom. 6:3 the Apostle sets forth this truth in respect of some; that when they were baptized, they were baptized into Jesus Christ and thereby baptized into His death. Let us note carefully the particular wording, “Do you not know that as many of you as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" … He uses similar language in Galatians, an epistle addressed generally to all the churches of Galatia. This truth of a living union with Christ is forcefully taught in the illustration of the Vine and the Branches by our Lord in John 15:1-16. The branches cannot survive apart from the vine, which is the source of their sustenance. Thereby they live and bear fruit, for as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, no more can you except you abide in Me. Only those who experience this vital union here and now will be with Christ forever. May this amazing, glorious and vital truth stir up our pure minds, to use Peter's words.

This life in union with Christ means that we live in and for Him and He in us, so that there is nothing in life apart from Him. All our unwitting sins are being continually cleansed through faith in His blood and as we I walk in the light as He is in the light; all known and confessed sins are forgiven. There is no aspect of light into which He is not brought. To please the Lord and do His will is our chief concern. It brings with it the unspeakable joy and blessedness of communion and fellowship with the Lord and an increasing awareness of His presence; a walking with the Lord.

He manifests Himself, causes us to know the tenderness of His 4 loving care and protection. The things unseen by natural sense and which are eternal become more real and precious than the things that are seen which are only temporary. These recede and have less and less interest for both heart and mind. True abiding rest and the peace of God are realized as all burdens are taken to and cast upon Him. All wisdom, grace, life and strength are derived from Him, our all sufficiency in all things.

Often there is a clear awareness of the presence of the Lord and His protective guardian power. The Apostle Paul wrote of one occasion when “all forsook me but the Lord stood by me.” He knew he was not alone. But this is equally true at all times though we may not be conscious of it. Even when we may be in a subconscious state, for He has promised "Lo, I am with you always." What then have we to fear? Above all, is the experience of the Heavenly Father's tender love, care and pity like our own father’s for us, His abundant mercy as He chastens and disciplines us. Also the redeeming love of Christ who gave Himself for us and said the Father Himself loves you. These precious words spoken to His immediate disciples are no less intended for us who likewise have been made one with Him.

As this infinite Divine love is experienced, the heart is overwhelmed by the wonder that this is now possible. The heart is constrained by the Holy Spirit to love God supremely. This desire, together with the endeavor, increases. There is a hollowed rest in prayer with the blessed assurance as we pray that we are in the Holiest of All, the Father’s presence. These are some of the priceless blessings now enjoyed which flow from a living union with Christ throughout our earthly pilgrimage.

What will it mean to be with Christ? The illustration of Bridegroom and bride is used in the New Testament of the relationship of Christ and His Church, and with references to the marriage and the marriage supper of the Lamb. This will be fulfilled completely when the Church is glorified and united with her Lord. We cannot begin to conceive the wonder, transcendent beauty, ineffable joy and glory to be! A beautiful hymn describes one aspect:

The Bride eyes not her garments, but her dear Bridegroom's face: I will not gaze at glory, But on my King of grace, Not at the crown He gives, but on His outstretched hand; The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel's land.

There will be the Welcome Home; to the home our Lord has prepared. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. He will give Himself to the overcomer in the fullness of His infinite love. I will give him the "Morning Star" is the promise. Our capacity to receive and reciprocate the wealth of that Divine love will then be unlimited; now it is finite. Above all, fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore in the Heavenly Father's presence; to SEE HIS FACE whom no man has seen or can see. The holiness of God will be ours endlessly.

To be with Christ will mean being with Him forever. Where He is we shall be. In all the future works and purpose that the Father has centered in Him, we shall share. Then as the countless ages follow, ours will be the great honor and boundless joy to be to the praise of the glory of His grace bestowed upon us who were at one time alienated from God, dead in trespasses and sins even as others. This transcendent day and blessedness is very near. Soon the mystery of God shall be finished. Let us then not be faint or weary but continue to be faithful, relying upon the promised grace and strength day by day. The Lord will never, never, fail us, as we continue faithful and steadfast. Amen.

Face to Face

Face to face with Christ my Savior, face to face what will it be, When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me?

Chorus:

Face to face I shall behold Him, far beyond the starry sky, Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by.

Only faintly now I see Him, with the darkened veil between, But a blessed day is coming when His glory shall be seen.

What rejoicing in His presence when are banished grief and pain, When the crooked ways are straightened & the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face! O blissful moment! Face to face to see and know; Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so.

Grant C. Tullar

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3

When you think not!

“The Scotch preacher, McCheyne, once said to some friends, “Do you think Christ will come tonight?”
One after another they said, “I think not.”
When all had given this answer, he solemnly repeated this text, “The Son of Man comes at an hour when you think not!”

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