Wouldn't it be nice if making decisions became easier with age? It would be great if more gray hair we grew, the more black and white the issues would become; the more our vision blurred, the more clearly we could distinguish between right and wrong; the more we lost our shape, the more well-defined wisdom and foolishness would appear. But life's not like that. We do get older, but the decisions don't get any easier. In fact, the situations we face as adults are often more grizzled and ill-defined than we are!
Dilemmas are like that, They're complicated, fuzzy, head-scratching predicaments that refuse to be resolve with a simplistic "this is right and that's wrong" kind of approach. Why? Because there are always advantages and disadvantages to both sides in a dilemma. No matter which side you choose, you lose something. There's no clear winner in these kind of decisions. And that's why, to use an old expression, dilemmas put us between a rock and s hard place.
Familiar Dilemmas, Commonly Faced
Have you ever felt the pressure and confusion of having to decide something that wasn't black and white, right or wrong? Then you've probably experienced one or more of the following three kinds of dilemmas.
Volitional Dilemmas
Volitional Dilemmas happen when we want to do two different things at the same time. For instance, a young married couple want to start a family, but they have two more demanding years of graduate school ahead of them. Do they go ahead and have children or finish school first?
Emotional Dilemmas
An emotional Dilemma occurs when have conflicting feelings about a difficult situation. for example, say beloved family pet contract a painful disease in old age. What does the family do if the vet has nothing that will cure the problem? Should they let the pet due naturally or put ti sleep?
Geographical Dilemmas
When we desire to be different places at the same time, we face a geographical dilemma. Being offers a better job in a need location often precipitates his kind of difficult decision. To accept the job might mean a significant pay raise and more oppurtunity for advancement in the future. But it would also mean uprooting the family from familiar surroundings, close friends, and a good church. Move or stay, which would better? liked apostle Paul wrestling with a similar rock -and - hard place dilemmas, one that's not only geographical, but intensely emotional and volitional as well.
Paul's Personal Dilemma
"For me to live is Christ, and die is gain" (Phil. 1:21) Paul wanted Jesus to be exalted in his body in every way, " whether by life or by death"(v.20). And death was certainly a possibility if his accusers had their way in court or in an ambush on some deserted road. The thought of martyrdom didn't depress Paul, however. In fact he got downright homesick thinking about being in heaven with Jesus, unshackled and free. Dying really be a "gain" to Paul. And that's the essence if his dilemma.
But if am to live on in the flesh, thus will mean fruitful labor for me, and I do know which to choose. But I am hard -pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better, yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. (v,22-24)
The Apostle's desire to join Jesus in heaven and yet, at the same time, to remain with the Philippians on earth has him between a rock and a hard place. He feels torn in two directions: "I do not know which to choose"(v22).
As in all dilemmas, both sides of the issue have benefits and liabilities. Let's take a brief look at what some of these were for Paul.
Option 1: To Depart
Benefit: In Paul's mind, the gain of dying was that he would instantly be with Christ, free from the frustration and pain of this world. No more stoning, beatings and imprisonments. No more thorns In the flesh; no more living with constant danger, hunger thirst, and sleepless nights of hardship. He would have unending peace instead, in a a place of perfection, in the very presence of God. He would know fullness of joy and experience eternal pleasure from God's own hand ( Ps.16:11).
Liabilities: Paul knew, however, that to be with Jesus meant that he would be absent from those who needed him. The Philippians were his spiritual children, and such a loss might hamper their growth. Also, he would no longer be witness to his Roman guards day after day, nor would he reach any others for Christ through missionary journeys. The infant church, which relied on his authority and guidance, would be bereft of their great champion as well.
Option 2; To Remain
Benefit: By staying, Paul knew he could continue nurturing the Philippians growth and maturity in the Lord. This would not only give them greater security and hope for the future, it would also bring Paul much joy in their relationship. His writing ministry, too, would continue, bringing God's grace and truth to countless generations he would never see.
Liability: To stay obviously meant Paul would remain chained to Rome instead of going home to heaven.
As badly as Paul wants to be with Christ, he choose to stay instead, exemplifying Christ to the Philippians by selflessly placing their needs above his own desires.
And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. (Phil.1:25-26)
Philippians' Spiritual Challenge
Having committed himself to remain, immediately issues a challenge to ensure the Philippians' "progress and joy in the faith,"
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in Me, and now hear to be in Me.
(vv: 27-30)
For a closer look at what means by "conduct.. worthy of the gospel of Christ," Lets contrast the positive and negative aspect of his challenge.
Positive
The philippians are told to stand firm in one spirit with one mind, in two different respects (v. 27b). First, among themselves Paul wants ther to be a unity and harmony. And second, before others, they are to exhibit solidarity and courage in striving together for the gospel. In Greek, the word for striving is an athletic, blood sweat and tears kind of term. The Philippians have seem Paul fight the good fight of faith by the sweat of his brow; now he exhorts them to do the same.
Negative
Paul tells them not to be "alarmed by their opponents, " The term alarmed literally pictures a horse shying away from the battlefield. The Philippians aren't to go out looking for trouble, but when conflicts flare up, there is no reason to be shy or hesitant. And theng Apostle gives them several reason why.
(1) They're not alone (v.27).They are to strive together for the gospel. It's frightening to face opposition alone, but ther's comfort in having others on your side who are also bu your side.
(2) Paul gives them the subtle assurance that, ultimately, the victory is theirs (v.28). Commentator F F. Bruce sheds some light on the promise.
The presence of opposition, Paul assures them, shows that they are on theright path in their active gospel witness. It is a token of salvation to them, as it is a token of perdition for their opponents: "they will lose and. . . you will win" God is the author of the gospel: those who defend it may therefore expect deliverance and victory from him as surely as those who resist it may expect to incur his judgement. much the same though ginds fuller expression in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
(3) The Philippians shouldn't be alarmed by their opponents because God has granted that His followers should suffer for His sake (v.29). This is painful but helpful reminder. Don't let opposition and suffering catch you off guard; rather, prepare for them by expecting it.
(4) Paul helps call the Philippians' fears with the reminder that the conflict they face, he has faced too (v.30). Hooe and encouragement often come in just knowing that someone else has already been thriugh what you're currently experiencing.
Our Personal Response
Making right decision in the midst of a dilemma is tough. It forces us to rethink our priorities and reconsidered the importance of Christ in our lives.
Have you been hard-pressed by a dilemma lately? Are you being torn in two directions by a rock-and-a-hard place decision? Choosing the best solution won't be easy. So put on your bifocals if you need them; muster all the wisdom you can from oast experience; and don't forget to keep your commitlent to Christ as strong, black and white, and well-defined as Paul's "For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain" (v.21)
Living Insights
Traditionally, when we list our priorities, we begin with God at the too and work our way down the list in order of imprtance. Usually it comes out looking something like this:
God
Marriage
Family
Work
Etc.
As heloful as this is, there's a practical faw. shouldn't our priorities not only reflect that we seek God above all other things, but also that weseek to put Him first in everything?
God
God in my marriage
God in my family
God in my work
God in . . .
Philippians 1:21-30
