WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT his exile in Hawaii during an interview with the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) on December 9,1986, Fernand E. Marcos, former present if the Philippines remarked:
It is not a choice of life, it is a choice of death. If this is life, I'd rather die.
Ferdinand E. Marcos
Nakapalungkot naman!__ how unfortunately sad! When faced with the choices of life and death, there is nothing sadder than facing either life or death without friends at our side to comfort and fellowship with us. Most of us can only imagine the loneliness of being isolated from us compadres, our country, and our creator. In fact as in the case of deposed President Marcos, life may seem more cruel than death__ malupit daw ang buhay
Of all the men called upon to make the choice between life and death, in my opinion none looms larger than St. Paul. While exiled from his homeland to a prison in Rome, St. Paul questioned:
• • • what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more. But if by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. I am pulled in two directions.
Philippians 1: 21-23
St. Paul was faced with a very difficult choice. If he died, he could be with Jesus right away. That would mean freedom from his cold prison cell. He would no longer suffer the pains of imprisonment.He would no longer be an exile in a foreign country. Imagine, no more lonely nights. No more of the endless separation from friends and relatives. Most of all, however, death would mean he could be with his Lord, Jesus Christ, immediately! Every true Christian who has placed his faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord looks forward to being with Him in His kingdom. Jesus promises every believer:
There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.
John 14:2-3
St. Paul, on the other hand, had another choice. He wrote:
••• if by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose... but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive. I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay.
Philippians 1:22; 24-25
If St. Paul remained alive, he could help his fellow Christians face their own spiritual struggles. He would be able to teach new believers about Jesus. He would be able to provide fellowship and training for young spiritual leaders and Christians. He would also be able to continue writing inspirational letters of encouragement to the young Christians and churches.
More than that, however, he could help those who were not christians . He could use the opportunity to explain God's free gift of salvation to those who did not understand God's purpose for their lives. He could warn unbelievers that their good works are worthless without faith in Jesus alone.
Remaining alive would give St. Paul the Opportunity to explain God's grace towards sinners He could help others understand the need to confess their sins to Jesus. St. Paul would also advise others to turn from their sinful lives to Jesus Christ through faith. He struggled passionately__ alin ang mas mahalaga? Paul said:
••• I am not sure which I should choose. I am pulled in two directions.
Philippians 1:22-23
THINK ABOUT IT
Like President Marcos, was faced with a very difficult choice. Unlike the former president, however, after prayerfully turning to Jesus and his friends for guidance, St. Paul chose to remain alive and minister to his friends while living in exile__ mas mahalaga ang buhay.
Despite difficult circumstances, St. Paul believed God love him. He was assured of God's free gift of eternal life many years prior to being thrown into the Roman prison. Now, in spite of the hard life found in prison, did not complain or blame God for the hard times he had to endure in prison. He did not become bitter and angry at God. Hindi siya naghinakit.
when you place your faith in Jesus Christ and receive His free gift of eternal life, your life immediately becomes more meaningful.
In fact, St. Paul praised God for giving him a reason to Live and share his faith with others. He believed the isolation from relatives and friends in a cold dark prison cell was worth suffering in order to be with those who needed him. Hindi siya nag-iisa. The need for others to hear and believe the good news about Jesus was greater than his own selfish desires. St. Paul had really discovered a life worth living. His life in Christ was worth living! Jesus assures you that, like St. Paul, you can also live a full and meaningful life right now. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ and receive His free gift of eternal life, your life immediately becomes more meaningful. Jesus wants you to know that:
. . . the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but he ( Jesus) came that you may have life___life in all its fullness.
John 10:10
Unlike the thief who takes life by killing and destroying, Jesus gives life. Through His grace and free gift of eternal life, you can enjoy an abundant Christian life right now! 0o, ngayon din. However, you must be willing to receive God's free gift graciously. You must understand and agree that faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation and God's kingdom, not your good works. Jesus rightly proclaims about himself:
I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me. John 14:6
A willingness to receive God's grace through faith in His Son Jesus Christ will bring immediate peace and understanding to your life. The moment you confess your sins to Jesus, admit you are unable to save yourself, and place your faith in Jesus Christ alone, the gift of eternal life begins in your life.
When you graciously accept God's ffee gift of eternal life, you actually receive more than eternal life. Your faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as your Savior will lead you to a clear understanding of God's purpose for your life through the working or His Holy Spirit. God truly loves you and has a purpose for your life. St. John shares the Good News with you when he proclaims God's love:
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its Jugde, but to be its savior.
John 3:l6-l
You are the world that God loves. You are the world that God's Son, Jesus Christ, died to save. Jesus Christ died so you could live. God's purpose for your life is for you to receive His free gift of eternal life. God wants you to enjoy a meaningful and fruitful life right now. God wants you to know "LIFE CAN BE A BLOWOUT" if you receive His free gift through faith right now.
PRAY ABOUT IT
Jesus, thank you for giving life. Thank you for the free gift of eternal life which you offer to me. Sometimes I have difficulty understanding your desire for my life, but I pray you will help me discover the truth. Do not allow me to become defeated and discouraged with life. Please free me from rituals and meaningless religious ceremonies. Please free me so I can experience an abundant life through Jesus Christ.
Have a Nice Day!
By: Orchidaceae
Thank you!