Once I was talking with an older man about Jesus. This man was very result orientated and he point blank asked me this question. He said, "What are the benefits of being a Christian? If being a Christian is such a great thing, then what do I gain?"

In Psalm 103 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."

Here we are told that we are not to forget the benefits of God. And then it goes on to list them. Listen, these are really great. Here they are. Continuing on with Psalm 103, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Okay! As a Christian what can we expect from God our Father?

Number one - He forgives our sins. When we accept Jesus, all the sin nature and all the sins we have committed are forgiven. Jesus paid the price, once and for all. We can be clean, and that's a wonderful feeling. All the guilt, pressure, and stress that sin brings can be gone. It's a benefit of being a child of God.

Number two - He heals all our diseases. When Jesus bore the stripes for our sicknesses, He paid the price in full for our healing. All through God's Word we find this one thing: God wants to heal all those who are His. He is a good God and His will is that all who believe will be healed. In James 5:14 the Bible says, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up."

Number three - He redeems our life from destruction. When things look like all is lost and there is no way of escape, God can make a way. Psalm 34:6 says, "The poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." When it seems like there is no way, God makes a way.

Number four - He covers us with loving kindness and tender mercies. While we were in sin, He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place, for our sins. Why? Because He loved us.

Number five - He satisfies our mouths with good things. He not only wants us to live, but He wants us to have good things. James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." God is good and as Christians, He is our Father. Then logic dictates our inheritance is beyond our comprehension and it is good.

Number six - He renews our youth. Many men have looked for the fountain of youth. Ponce de Leon searched across the known and unknown world looking for the fountain that could give everlasting youth and life. He looked in the wrong place. God has it and He has given it to those who believe in His Son Jesus. In John 3:16, Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Are there benefits to being a Christian? You be the judge.

Devotion 0093