Blessings Of Being A Christian
The Christian life is the best life there is. We are blessed with so many blessings, and we should “rejoice in the Lord always” because of them. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” God gives these spiritual blessings to those who are in Christ. To be in Christ is equal to being in his body, which is the church (Ephesians 1:23). Those who are in the church of Christ are Christians. Let us notice some of the blessings we enjoy in Christ.
1. Forgiveness of Sins. Ephesians 1:7 tells us that in Christ “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Only Christians can enjoy freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin. Our sins are washed away during the act of baptism (Acts 22:16) as we enter Christ and his church (Gal. 3:27, I Cor. 12:13).
2. Fellowship with God and Christ. As we enter the church we are reconciled to God, and begin to enjoy the fellowship of God (Eph. 2:16). We have the privilege of communing with Christ at his table during the Lord’s Supper. I Corinthians 10:16 says, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ?” The bread which we break is it not a communion of the body of Christ?” We also enjoy God’s fellowship by means of prayer. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.”
3. Fellowship with the family of God. In the church we enjoy the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. Galatians 6:10 teaches us to be good toward all men, “and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.” We can count on one another for fellowship, prayer, love, kindness, help, and encouragement. Hebrews 10:24 says, “and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.”
4. God’s providential care. Christ promises us God’s care if we “seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). We are also promised “that to them that love God all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28). It is truly a great blessing to know that God is watching over us.
5. The hope of heaven. The greatest of blessings we enjoy is the “hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal” (Titus 1:2). We will one day enjoy the beauty of heaven as described in Revelation 21 and 22.
The blessings in Christ are many – “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.”
- Keith Hinds