THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: Philippians 1:23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Having choices and time schedules is as old as humans: but to know the preferred and the credible among those alternatives require wisdom and a concreted determination. Paul the apostle was at a cross-road here, he was of a ripe age and grey-headed: he was like limping between two opinions: namely: to depart or to be with Christ; but preferred the latter to the former. It is highly natural as we see some elderly clergymen among us to step aside, not absolute renouncing the sacred vocation, but to pass the baton on to the young clergymen. This position was what apostle Paul was, he had no stamina of running as he did before; he would earlier in his middle age ensured the Ephesians gathered in synagogues, visited the absentees and ran to Colosse which was located one hundred and twenty miles, east of Ephesus without a chariot or any other means of transportation in order to see how they were fairing on the selfsame Sabbath day; not minding the law guiding the Sabbath day journey. But at this time, the apostle was old, he seemed not to be as active as before, he had passion still but the nature hampered him as The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41. Virtually all the biblical characters were in the same situation, many preferred the credible alternative but many chose wrongly. Mother Eve was in a strait betwixt two opinions, should she go by Gods edifiable instructions or go by Satanic deceit. Lots wife was at a crossroad despite been gripped by the angel; she looked back. Abraham had two options, should he turn a deaf ear to God and spare his loved son. Boy Joseph was hooked between two opinions, should he have it with Suliat, his masters wife and begin to eat the fattest beef in Portiphars house? But he chose to obey God. Daniel had the free choice to be waving hand to his contemporaries while eating the delicacies of the king, but he chose otherwise. Peter, a skillful fisherman was been taught by an unskilled fisherman, Jesus, to launch into the deep. Paul was either to depart, though not from the faith, but to Tarsus and rest and to stay in the local synagogue planted there till he put down his body. But he insisted that, For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21. He was in the service of God till he breathed his last breath when he said, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight of faith, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2nd Timothy 4:6-7. Back to our days to day: we have alternatives in our ways, the ones that should be foregone are the ones we pick as preference. In choosing career, or lasting relationship, we are between two options, if not many. How many of us are choosing as Paul chose. An uncle called me for certain repairs in his house and to help in roofing an attachment meant for computers in that house. I chose to spend a Sunday with him; all that day long, I was expecting him to talk on what he sent for me to do after Church service, but he didnt say a word until the following morning. Though he was limping between two opinions, but he chose not to discuss business issues on the Sabbath day. What of you, when it is time for Digging Deep, the decoder alerts the next interesting movie, are you not in strait between two opinions? The premier league is having a tournament and was scheduled for 10am on Sunday, you are in strait between two opinions. Let us therefore check our lives, it is time to contribute money for those in mission field, your father-in-law is planning a birthday ceremony, you are in a strait between two opinion. Furthermore, Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16. This is the two opinions we are confronted with. Jesus was highly depressed in Getzemane, he was sorrowful and was in strait between two opinions: should he petition God to avert the cup and forestall the associated agony or what? He said, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42. If this however is our mindset, no matter the opinions before us, we shall have the same assurance that Paul had, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2nd Timothy 4:8. If you want the crown to be yours too, love his appearing by chosing the preferred alternative.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 17:13:47 +0000
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