What would you say are the benefits of being a Christian?

J Daniel said:

Regardless of denomination.

Because if you believe scripture - it is clear in John 14:6 that tells you all you need to know.

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After being thrown to the lions, sawed in two, burned at the stake etc., ....eternal life with Jesus Christ is the benefit.

1 Timothy 4:8-9 "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation."

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a)

Especially being ready to stand before God because you are walking in the light and no longer His enemy. Consider this passage in light of your question: Revelation 6:14-17 "And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

Life.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (Jn. 17:3)

"That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mk 4:12)

I can't figure what this life will be without hope, I guess we would all be depressed without it. Christianity gives us hope, which is essential in this world and promises us fellowship with God in the afterlife.

I was once asked (about my faith) "what if you are wrong?" My answer was that if I am wrong about eternal life, then the life I live now is enough, as long as Jesus is in it. The benefit of hope, just as joined2krist has said, and of knowing Jesus, just as Willie T has said. It's about having Someone greater than myself, Someone holy, Someone who is all things good like forgiveness, love and peace - that I can focus on rather than self or mankind. Without this focus on a Sovereign God and Creator, life and direction are meaningless. Purpose is meaningless. As the author of Ecclesiastes says, it's all utterly meaningless - unless you know God and enjoy this life he has given - existentialism at its finest. Without him, I am nothing, even if there is nothing after I die. But I believe there is a tiara and a room for me in his heavenly dwelling.

J Daniel said:

Regardless of denomination.

Because if you believe scripture - it is clear in John 14:6 that tells you all you need to know.

Click to expand...

John 17

Prayer for all Believers

20I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

22I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— 23I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

24Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

25Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me. 26And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”

and His prayer will be answered ... and words can not describe being one with the creator of everything and for eternity.

Thank you Jesus! AMEN!

J Daniel said:

Regardless of denomination.

Because if you believe scripture - it is clear in John 14:6 that tells you all you need to know.

Click to expand...

Both the Law and Jesus tell us that a believers life will be blessed.

Mar 10:29-30 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

The Law of Moses, tells us that a follower of the LORD will be blessed in all they do. Be that a) physical blessing, or b) a spiritual one. It says we shall be the head and not the tail, above only not beneath. We shall be blessed in our food bowl, blessed in our heard and flocks.

I believe that where possible God will bring blessing into our natural lives. In places where persecution is the norm, the bible tells us that "the spirit of glory, will rest on you", that means a special spiritual blessing, of joy in the midst of trial. God does not leave us a orphans.

The blessing of God does not free us from a life that will have a degree of trial, as Jesus said the blessing comes "with persecutions". The degree of persecution varies, take David as an example, his persecution was light, being chased by Saul, then he became king. Joseph was made a slave, and jailed, yet in the end exulted highly. Job suffered much more, yet in the end was exulted to have twice as much blessing as before.

Every believer will go through a trial, but in the end God wants His children blessed. Some people have very little natural blessing, yet their ultimate blessing comes with eternal life, and its rewards.

Question 1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks what the chief end of man is. The answer is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. That is the benefit of being a Christian.

I'm reminded of a bumper sticker I saw ages ago. "Jesus Christ: The pay isn't much but the retirement plan is out of this world."

It's quite true.

ajcarey said:

Especially being ready to stand before God because you are walking in the light and no longer His enemy. Consider this passage in light of your question: Revelation 6:14-17 "And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

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So many are brave in this time, telling what they would say before God, or what they would ask Him! Showing themselves fearless!

But just like with Job, when he was questioning God as well as sharing what was on his mind to Him, when God spoke and answered him, he was left speechless! As he knew he couldn't go against anymore with his own words, knowing God had everything right!

Just like this; Everyone who ever talked bravely against God, will no longer be so brave when they face the Lord during His time of return!

Paul Washer mentioned in one of his speeches, that there aren't many God fearing men. Even the demons have more God's fear, considering they also believe and tremble before Him! But with humans, many of them are ignorant of this! Something which is sad, of course! As the devil and the demons already are judged, but humans are still given the chance of redemption. They can still become saved from God's wrath.