How To Choose Between Good & Good

As we continue on the study of the epistle of Philippians, we will once more reflect on verses 21 to 26, where we read about the dilemma that Apostle Paul went through.

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me

It is easy to choose between good and bad but that is not the case here. He had to choose between two good things.

How do we choose between good and good ?

Let’s analyse the decision based on this context. For Paul it was easier to die than to live as he was being persecuted always. He was weighing both the decisions as both were good for him. He was wondering whether it was better to pray to live in this body and serve Christ amidst persecutions in the prison or to leave this body and be with Christ.

To die was gain, as there would be no persecutions, no travel, no stonings, facing court cases etc. For him living in the body was painful both physically and mentally but abiding in the body was more needful for the church than to die. This explains what departure from the body means that at death, the body dies and the inner man goes to heaven if one is a believer or to a place of torment if a man is not saved. The body without the spirit is dead (James 2.26). To depart is to be with Christ and to be in heaven with the spirits of just men made perfect.

Smith Wigglesworth, a great man of God was one who had brought back many from the dead including his wife Polly. The second time he brought her back from the dead, she told him to let her go as heaven was a much better place to live. It is only when we live in this body that we have troubles and persecutions.

So how do we decide between two good choices ?

1. Acknowledge the tension between the two choices. Paul said he was torn between the two decisions. On one part, he could see Christ, the hope of glory which was the ultimate reward of the believer. On the other hand, to remain in the body and serve Christ by building up the church, encouraging the saints,  raising up leaders, doing another missionary journey etc.To understand the situation better, we can think of a good Cardio surgeon who is offered a retirement with the same pay which would be easier for him but instead chooses to save people's lives by doing surgery. Retirement was good for the doctor but not for the sick who depend on him. 
2. Evaluate through the lens of Christ’s glory.We must think which decision would be better for Christ’s glory. This is what Paul considers before he makes a choice of choosing between the comfort in heaven or toil on earth. He would have asked this question to himself, “Which choice best glorifies Christ?” And this should be what we too need to think before we make any decision on earth regarding our future whether it be our job, ministry, future spouse etc? What is more gain for Christ ?
3. Consider what is more necessary for others.Paul’s decision was based on what was better for the church. This is the principle of selfless decision making. It was better for Paul to depart and be with Christ but he does not choose that because it was not better for Christ and others. This is a leadership principle in ministry that the mature often give up what they prefer for what others need. 
4. Listen to the Spirit’s conviction.Paul was convicted by the Holy Spirit and was ‘Convinced of this, I know that I will remain’. This brings a quiet internal peace that comes from aligning with God’s present assignment. This is a selfless sacrificial decision for others. 
5. Choose for the progress and joy of others ( and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith’.)This is a thought that must lead to the right decision when we have to choose between whether to do what is good for our future or what is good for God and others. 

 In conclusion, when choosing between two good paths,

1. Don’t just weigh benefits, weigh kingdom impact
2. Don't just ask what is best for me, ask what is best for them. 
3. Let’s Christ be the centre, fruitfulness be the measure, love be the guide

If we are in such a situation right now where we have to choose between two good decisions, we need to give priority to what reaps greater eternal fruit, which one serves others better, what is the Holy Spirit impressing on our heart etc