ADVANTAGES FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS ENJOY

ADVANTAGES FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS ENJOY 

Lloyd Gale

        In the end, faithful Christians are the recipients of an eternal inheritance because we are God’s chosen people (1 Peter 1:3-9; 2:9). Christians sing “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done.” It’s more than a beautiful hymn, it’s good advice. 

        We should not focus exclusively on the turmoil, sin and chaos of the world in which we live. Christian values may cause us to wonder about the corruption around us as we hear the news and observe society continuing on its downward path of self destruction. Can things get any worse? As the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-16), we seek to rescue the perishing with the Gospel. We must not allow Satan to discourage us. 

        Christians understand that this world and this life are but temporary and if it were not so, then death and the grave would be the victors. But God has revealed to all who will hear, that we have within us an immortal spirit and that death and the grave can not claim the victory over us. “O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:55-58).

LET US COUNT SOME OF OUR BLESSINGS AS CHRISTIANS

        1. We know there is an all wise, all powerful, ever present, loving and merciful Creator, because God has revealed this to us through His Holy Oracles, the Bible. 

        2. We know God calls us, speaks to us and guides us through His holy word and by His providence (Matt. 11:28-30; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). 

        3. We know we may call upon God at any time and that He will hear and give answer to our petitions. “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth” (John 9:31).“Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). 

        4. We know Jesus loves us because the Bible tells us so. This may be the most profound thought that man may possess. “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:9-14). 

        5. We know the Lord will provide for us because He has promised that he will do so.“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:25-33). 

        6. We know the Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want (Psa. 23). 

        7. We know God created this world and that at a time he chooses he will bring it to an end (Gen. 1:1; 2 Peter 3:9-12). Christians need not worry about the earth’s destruction by the hysterical ranting of global warming charlatans or sky gazers who fear some space object will bring an end. The end of the world is in the hands of the Creator of the world and He alone knows when such will happen (Matt. 24:36). 

        8. We know the Lord has prepared a place for those who are prepared for heaven. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).
 
        The Christian has many, many advantages for a productive and prosperous life in this world, and after this brief life is over, joy eternal. “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of glory divine.” All things are ready, come to the feast. 

        Is your heart right with God? Today is the day of salvation. Make your calling and election sure. Believe in Christ, obey His commands and enjoy the peace that exceeds our understanding. 

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                 Lebanon, TN 37090