11 The Valley Of Grace Series

Live godly - Our God. We are to be like Jesus in this present world. This refers to the present age and to the world as a system organised by men in opposition to God. The world challenges the Christian when he tries to live soberly, righteously, and godly.

Grace will teach you how to live. I’m glad that God is patient with His little children! That’s just His grace!

c. There Is Grace For Dying – Philippians 1:21-23

According to Paul’s own testimony, he is in a "Strait". This word is used to describe some pretty colourful situations. When Paul uses this word, he is telling us that he feels like a prisoner in this world. In other words, his body is here, but his heart is elsewhere. He feels the pressure of this life and longs for the freedom of Heaven.

Paul has a desire to be free from the bondage of the prisons he is in. There is the Roman prison and there is the prison of his flesh. Both hinder his liberty and hold him back. His desire is to break free of them both.

Paul Expresses his desire by using the word "Depart." Isn’t it interesting that death held no fear for Paul? Many people face the hour of death with fear and dread, yet when Paul considered his leaving this world, he simply said that he had a "desire to depart." This word was used in that society in many ways.

1. It Was A Military Term - It was used of soldiers taking down their tents. This is a glorious picture of Christian death. When we leave this world, all we really do is fold up this tent of flesh and go to be with Christ.

2. It Was A Sailor’s Term - It meant to loosen a ship and set sail. That is what happens when a Christians comes to the end of the way. We just loosen from the moorings of this old world and sail off the glory to meet Jesus.

3. It Was A Farmer’s Term - It was used to refer to taking the yoke off of oxen at the end of the work day. What a picture for the child of God! One day our work will be finished and the yoke of service will be removed from our necks and we will enter His rest.

4. It Was Traveller’s Term - It was used by travellers to speak of putting the horses into the barn at the end of a long journey. Again, this speaks volumes about us as Christians. We travel through this world in all kinds of situations and circumstances. One day, however, the journey will end and we will be at home with the Lord.

5. It Was A Political Term - It was used to speak of setting prisoners at liberty. Perhaps this was the image Paul was intending to convey by using this word. After all, we are prisoners in these bodies and in this world until God cuts the golden thread and allows us to come home. The day will come when God will open our prison doors and we will be free.

Paul sums up his desire to depart by saying that he longs to be "with Christ." I look forward to all the sights of Heaven and I look forward to seeing long gone loved ones and the saints of old, but my heart longs to see the One who climbed Calvary and took my sins upon Him.

Paul says that this is "far better." What he means is this: When you get Jesus, you also get Heaven! Think about it, we will get to see the Lord who died for our sins and we will spend eternity enjoying His presence - 1 Thes. 4:16-17. Just think for a minute about Heaven. Thank God, over there, there will be none of the problems and pains of this life. It will be a different type of existence over there.