Benefits of Belief in Jesus
Forgiveness
Did you know that ANY SIN we have committed can be forgiven? How? By your confession and repentance to Jesus. Why? Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross in dying for our sins. God forgives us freely, completely, instantly, and REPEATEDLY.
Acts 10:43 says, “He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Romans 3:26, “God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.”
It doesn’t matter who we are. It doesn’t matter what we have done, who we have done it with, how long we did it, or where we did it, and we can be saved. We can be forgiven. Everything is forgiven when we trust in Jesus Christ.
Destiny
The Lord has a plan and purpose for us. We may get bounced around. Life controls us rather than we are controlling life. And yet we have a DESTINY.
Ephesians 1:11 says, “Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God, who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart.”
There’s only one way we can learn about the purpose(s) of our life. The inventor of our purpose is the Lord, NOT US. We must read His Word (Bible) and talk (pray) to our Creator.
Have you ever heard someone say that we ought to look within if we want to know our purpose? I can’t tell “me” what “my” purpose is because I didn’t create “me.” The Creator creates me. And He knows for what purpose I was made for. We will never see the purpose of our life until we believe in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:16 says, “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible, and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels – everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”
People are confused about their identity and their purpose. Because we are looking in the wrong places. Ephesians 1:11-14, “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
Strength
God gives us strength for daily living. I used to think this wasn’t a big deal. But now, I have lived for almost two years in a pandemic. I see people who are struggling with worry, fear, guilt, boredom, and bitterness. And I see a significant spiritual, emotional, and physical weariness and weakness.
Ephesians 1:19-20 says, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”
The Bible is teaching us that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to every one of us on a personal basis every day. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead the Bible says is available to us if we believe.
I have people say that they are so tired and done with the pandemic. Some have said that they are sick and tired of being sick and tired. We have a power shortage. And the reason we have a power shortage is that we are not plugged into God’s power. Too many people are trying to live their life only on their strength. A toaster unplugged is worthless. A blender unplugged is worthless. A vacuum cleaner has no purpose if it’s not plugged into the power source.
Isaiah 40:29-30, “He gives power to the tired and worn out and strength to the weak. Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
We need God’s power in our life. When we mess up and fail, we need God’s power to start over. And when we are ready to give up, to throw in the towel, we need God’s power to keep going. God gives us the power to say no to things that are not good.
We have supernatural power. Philippians 4:13 says, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.”
Where does that power come from? It comes from God – when we believe in Jesus Christ.
Eternal Life
John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVES in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
We are guaranteed eternal life. Even if none of these other things were available, we have been given eternal life because of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension when we have believed and received Him.
John 11:25-26, “Jesus said I am the one who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies, shall live again. He is given eternal life for believing in me and shall never perish.”
We have just seen four benefits of believing in Christ. Where else are you going to get that? Nowhere! Who else can give that to you? No one. If you don’t get it from Jesus, you don’t get it. Because He’s the only one who can give us these four things, these are amazing benefits we can’t get anywhere else. And the qualification? We must believe!
Believing Together!
Pastor Steve