Encouraging Word
John 3:16 tells us that God’s gift of love to the world is His Son Jesus. In order to benefit from a gift, it must be received. The giver can make it available, but it still must be received. Once accepted, you can enjoy the benefits. What are some of the benefits of receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Here are seven major benefits.
1. Forgiveness of Sin. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross paid the price of our sins. It removed the barrier of sin that separated sinful man from a Holy God. Spiritual death means separation from God (Romans 6:23). Jesus is the only remedy for our sins (John 14:6).
2. Spiritual Birth. Birth precedes life. In John 3:3, Jesus said you must be born again.
3. Spiritual Adoption. Galatians 4:4-6 says that God sent His Son to redeem us and provide adoption for us into God’s family. Now God becomes our Heavenly Father.
4. Receive the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 6:19 says that our bodies become a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 says that we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This third person of the Trinity comes to reside within us to be our comforter, counselor, guide, and helper to enable and equip us to live the Christian life.
5. Personal Relationship with God. As mentioned, God loves us, made salvation possible, paid for our sins, gave us His Spirit, and adopted us into His family so that He could have a personal relationship with us.
6. Experience “All of Life.” In Christ we have “new life” (II Corinthians 5:17); “complete life” (John 10:10); and “eternal life” (John 11:25- 26).
7. Spend Eternity with God. We were created for eternity. Psalm 23:6 says that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. In John 14:2-3, Jesus said we would enjoy heaven with Him.
These are some of the benefits available to us by receiving God’s gift, Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Do not take them for granted but enjoy them.
-Tony Cooper
Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission
