The Blessings of Being a Christian

The Forgiveness of Sins

When I entered my earthly family by natural birth, there were certain privileges and blessings which came with this birth. Once I was born others knew what my family name would be. No one had to ask if the other 2 children in the family were my siblings. That was understood. They did not vote me into the family. Being a child of my parents and receiving the blessings and privileges of the family were mine. It was something that was understood.

When I became a child of God, I received certain blessings also. In Ephesians 1:3 it says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Every spiritual blessing that man has can only be if one is in Christ and one gets into Christ through baptism. Again, notice what Paul says in Galatians 3:26-27: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” When I was baptized into Christ God also promised to forgive me of all my sins. In Acts 2:38 it says: “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” I never had to wonder if they were forgiven, for He promised me that they would be and I simply believed it. What a wonderful thing it is to know that I did not have the burden of sin any longer. I was in God’s family, and remission of sins came also.

Fellowship with Christ

A Christian has, as one blessing of being a Christian, the fellowship with God and Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:9 says: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” These very same Corinthians had been baptized into Christ, and therefore had forgiveness of sins as is stated in Acts 2:38, and now fellowship with Christ. On Pentecost those that were baptized, having their sins completely forgiven understood that they were now in full fellowship with Christ.

They were so happy, Peter writes: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:41-42,46-47). What a wonderful thought! Remission of sins; fellowship with God and His Son and membership in the Lord’s body. Having fellowship with God is saying that one is right with God and participates with God in the blessings that only He can give to an individual. To be eternally saved we MUST be IN Christ. 

Fellowship with Other Saints

Another beauty of the Christian life is the fellowship in the local church with those of like faith. This also brings the hope of eternal life. One terrible thought of eternal hell is that we will have to spend eternity with the thieves, the whoremongers, the liars, adulterers, murders and all the other wicked people of all ages. There are many wonderful experiences we gain by being in fellowship with good people. And where is this fellowship found? In Christ - in the body of Christ, or the church of Christ. Fellowship means joint participation, and to have this mutual participation in the work of the Lord with other saints is a privilege indeed. If you have not yet been baptized into Christ, you are missing one of the greatest blessings in the world!

Heaven

When we obey the doctrine of Christ in all things, then the greatest blessing of all for the Christian is where we will spend eternity. The Apostle Paul comforts the Thessalonian brethren with this very thought. Paul says: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Only Christians can have this comfort - the comfort of knowing that our eternal resting place will be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness

Have you ever noticed how miserable some people are and wondered why they were that way? Sometimes it's caused by being long on memory and short on forgiveness. If a person remembers every unkind thing anybody has ever said or done to them, they'll be miserable. Forgiveness is one of the great spiritual medicines and if used, will result in peace of mind.

To harbor grudges, to cultivate malice toward others, or to refuse to forgive, will hurt us far more than the one our ill feelings are directed toward. Colossians 3:13 says, "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Under the law of Moses, they were commanded, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:18).

We demonstrate love when we willingly and readily forgive. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

To be true disciples of the Lord, we must forgive "from the heart." Jesus said, "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." (Matthew 18:35). So, when someone asks you for forgiveness, forgive them. We fully expect God to forgive us of our sins and shortcomings when we prayerfully ask Him. Therefore as we expect God to forgive us when we seek His forgiveness, let us also willingly forgive others when they seek our forgiveness.