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The Benefits of our Spiritual Life

Psalms 103:2 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits.”

            In a recent interview with a good friend I was asked, “What are the benefits of having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?”  My first thought was that we have peace with God.  Philippians 4:7 defines this peace, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  The New Living Translation says this peace “exceeds anything we can understand.”

            When we are in a relationship with the Lord, we find our true purpose in life.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “’For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV).  As we walk with the Lord, He directs our path.  Psalms 23:3 says, “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” 

            When we walk with Christ, we experience many blessings.  Ephesians 1:3 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.”  The Scriptures are filled with numerous benefits that are a result of our spiritual life.  We will share five of these powerful benefits:

1.    Freedom from Guilt – Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
2.    A New Identity – 1 Peter 1:9 – 10, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  Verse 10 – “Who were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
3.    Everlasting Life – John 3:16, “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.”
4.    A Healing Covenant – James 5:14-15, “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. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

5.    The Promise of His Second Coming – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

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