What Advantages Are There In Becoming A Christian?

Christians all over the world desire that all men become followers of Jesus and serve faithfully in the Kingdom of God.  While the apostle Paul was pleading his case before King Agrippa, he so convicted the king that he started, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28).  Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians, “Knowing therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11).  Paul, the Christian, was engaged in the Lord’s work of persuading men and women to become Christians. 

In considering Christianity one might ask the questions, “Why?  Why should I become a Christian?  What advantages are there for me becoming a Christian?”  Some who profess to be teachers of God’s word make many promises.  Some proclaim that if you become a Christian God will make you to become rich in material possessions.  The Bible nowhere states this promise!  Jesus taught that, “…one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses” (Luke 12:15).  In His great sermon on the mount Jesus pointed out that His followers should be concerned about laying up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

Others promise that when you become a Christian all of your problems will be over.  While it is true that many problems will be conquered, others will rise to greet the Christian.  Paul states, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). 

Some have been promised that they would inherit the earth.  Jesus, however, states that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and Peter states that the earth as we know it shall be “burned up” (2 Peter 3:10-13). 

Others have been promised that upon becoming Christians they would no longer suffer temptations (the invitation to sin).  The Word of God teaches us that even Jesus Christ was tempted throughout His life on the earth (Luke 4:13).  While temptations will come to the Christian, God has promised a way of escape to the Christian (1 Corinthins 10:13). 

After considering these facts, one might ask, “Well, are there any advantages in being a Christian?”  Jehovah God says there is!  Consulting the Word of God, the Bible, we learn the wonderful advantages of being a Christian. 

The Christian Enjoys Fellowship with Jehovah God

The prophet Amos asked, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”(Amos 3:3).  God and sin are not compatible (1 Peter 3:12), and when man sins by transgressing God’s will for him (1 John 3:4), he separates himself from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).  A Biblical example of this is the disobedience of Adam and Eve when, through their disobedience to God, sin entered the world (Genesis 2:4-3:24).  Sin brings spiritual death (Romans 6:23) and eternal separation from God (Revelation 21:17).  Fellowship is from a Greek term koinonia which means association, communion, fellowship, close relationship, participation, sharing in something. When man is serving sin (walking in rebellion to God), he does not enjoy fellowship with Jehovah God.  When man’s sins are removed by the blood of Jesus Christ, fellowship with God is restored.  Since this is true, one of the greatest questions in life is, “What must a sinner do to obtain the forgiveness of sins?”  An excellent example which answers this question is found in Acts chapter two.

• Peter preached, Acts 2:14.
• Peter identified their sin, Acts 2:23-26.
• Peter presented three lines of proof that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.

1.     Acts 2:22 – Mighty works, signs, and wonders.

2.     Acts 2:24-32 – Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

3.     Acts 2:33 – Giving of the Holy Spirit.

• Conclusion of his sermon, Acts 2:36.
• The Jews response, Acts 2:41.
• Through their faith in God (Hebrews 11:6) and Jesus Christ (John 8:24), repentance (Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3) which is a change of mind which leads to a reformation of life, confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Romans 10:10; 1 Timothy 6:12-13), and being baptized into the death of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3), their sins were forgiven and they were added to the church which is the spiritual body of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18).  Being baptized into the death of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3), they were cleansed by the blood of Jesus which was shed in His death (John 19:34). 
• Fellowship with God was attained (Acts 2:47).

The Christian Enjoys Fellowship with God’s Family, the Church

Jehovah God is the Christian’s spiritual father (Hebrews 12:7-10) and is a father of love (1 John 4:10; 1 John 4:19) which is clearly manifested in the gift of His Son (John 3:16).  Jesus Christ is our elder brother (Hebrews 2:11-12) and gave His life to make salvation available for all (Romans 5:8-9).  The depth of Jesus’ love for us is seen in His death for each of us (1 Corinthians 15:3).  The love shared by members of God’s spiritual family is more than life itself.  It is a love which is patterned after the love of Jesus Christ (John 13:34) and identifies the Christian as a disciple of Jesus (John 13:35).  Among men there is no greater love experienced (outside of love between a husband and a wife) than the love experienced in the family of God.  As a family unit, the church enjoys fellowship in the work given it by Christ:

1.     Evangelism, Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:15.

2.     Edification, 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

3.     Benevolence, James 1:27; Romans 15:25-27; Galatians 6:10.

The church worships as a family and fellowships with each other as they offer honor, respect, awe, adoration, and praises unto Jehovah God.  They teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16), pray with and for each other (1 Peter 5:17), observe the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Acts 20:7), support the work of Jehovah God with free will offering every first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and they study God’s Word in order to understand His will for them.

Christians love all mankind, even their enemies, but there is a special love which the world cannot know (and many times cannot understand) which exists between God’s children (Romans 12:10; Galatians 6:10).  The sharing of such love brings much joy, peace, and comfort to life. 

The Christian Enjoys Abundant Life on Earth

The Master, Jesus Christ, said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).  Note just a few of “this life’s” blessings.  

1.     Peace of mind, Philippians 4:7.

2.     Highest goal for life, Philippians 1:21.

3.     Joy in living, Philippians 4:4.

4.     Confidence in the Christian life, Philippians 4:13.

5.     Hope (assurance of eternal life), John 14:1-4; Revelation 2:10.

6.     Security in Christ, Romans 8:35-39.

7.    Forgiveness when the Christians sins and repents, 1 John 1:7; Acts 8:13, Acts 8:18-24.

The Christian has the Promise of Eternal Life in Heaven

From Matthew 10:28 we learn that man is a dual being.  Man is flesh and soul.  The soul of man is eternal and never dies.  Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).  Since God is not flesh and bones (Luke 24:39) but a spirit (John 4:24), the part of man which was created in the image of God is man’s inner being or soul.  Paul speaks of this fact in 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10.  The Bible speaks of two destines of the soul or inner man.  One is eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13; Matthew 25:46) and the other is eternal life (Matthew 7:14; Matthew 25:46).  The apostle John in the book of Revelation speaks of the new heavens and earth (Revelation 4).  We are allowed the privilege of looking into heaven in Revelation chapter four.  John further states that no sin will enter this eternal home of the soul. 

What Advantages has the Christian?

1.     The Christian enjoys fellowship with Jehovah God.

2.     The Christian enjoys fellowship with God’s family, the church.

3.     The Christian enjoys abundant life on earth.

4.     The Christian is promised eternal life in Heaven.

When everything is considered the Christian life is the best possible life to live.  Being God controlled the Christian exhibits self-control, enjoys the best possible life on earth, and lives with the promise of eternal life with the Heavenly Father.  Perhaps the great apostle Paul summed it up best when he said, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).  The Son of God Himself invites you to partake of this great blessing of being a Christian, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-29). 

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