~ WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? ~
This is a question many people ask when faced with a life-changing
decision. To obey the gospel of Christ is to answer the world’s greatest
challenge -- to live the Christian life. The Bible teaches that through faith
one has “power to become” a follower of Christ (John 1:12): and complete
obedience to the will of God is followed by newness of life, then the
Christian adventure begins (Romans 6:3-4). What is there “in Christ” to
cause us to want to obey the gospel?
1. There is release from the guilt and practice of sin. “Therefore if
any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17).
2. There is the privilege of prayer. “If ye abide in me, and my words
abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John
15:7). “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are
open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do
evil.” (I Peter 3:12).
3. There is God’s providential (special) care. “There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (I
Corinthians 10:13). “And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28).
4. There is a new name to wear. “...And the disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26).
5. There is a new outlook on life. “According to my earnest
expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with
all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body,
whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21).
6. There are new duties. “...denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;... a
peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-12). We are saved to
serve. “...but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:…”
(Matthew 20:26-28).
7. There is a new reward (Revelation 2:10). In eternity, your home
in heaven will be more precious than all earth’s glamour and gold (John
14:1-3).
In summary, “all spiritual blessings” are in Christ! (Ephesians 1:3).
Consider what you now have in the world. Is it worth it?