Knowing the work Christ gave him on this earth and its importance, never the less caused him to want to be with Christ. The greater and deeper our souls bond with Christ the greater our longing to be with Him becomes. Paul knew that to be with Christ was far better than any situation this present earth could provide. His inclination was for death. The power of his faith reconciled his mind to death. It even made him willing to die, though we have natural aversion to it. Paul still had knowledge that it was far better as he said, “Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better:” It is being with Christ which makes the departure desirable to a regenerated person. It is not simply dying, or putting off the body, it is not of itself and for its own sake a desirable thing. It is being with Christ. As soon as the soul departs, it is immediately with Christ. Paul knew Christ’s words to the thief on the cross This day shalt thou be with me in paradise Luke 23:43. Therefore he was able to write, “Absent from the body and present with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8). Again it must be affirmed as Paul said, “Which is far better.” Those who deeply know Christ and heaven will readily acknowledge it far better or vastly preferable to be in heaven than to be in this world. Because in this world we are surrounded with trouble, distress as well as sin and temptation. Leaving is simply farewell to sorrow and death, forever. If one has an intimate relationship with Jesus and knows the Scripture death is a desired and longed for event.
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