What are the Earthly Advantages of Being a Christian ?

[franky67]

Do Christians have a safer, or more pleasant life while here on earth, or are we subject to exactly the same pains and sorrows as the unsaved ?

If we are, then how is the abundant life as promised by Jesus in John 10:10, any different than the unabundant life?

 

[JimB]

Do Christians have a safer, or more pleasant life while here on earth, or are we subject to exactly the same pains and sorrows as the unsaved ?

If we are, then how is the abundant life as promised by Jesus in John 10:10, any different than the unabundant life?

Why would that matter to a Christian? We are called to follow Jesus, not to desire “earthly” benefits. Aren’t we to set our affections on things above and not on the things of earth?

\o/

It is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves too much, that is poor.​

 

[mc01svt]

Obviously when the Lord says "life" he is talking about the future promise of heaven. Have you noticed how many christians are sick, poor and dying? It has been this way for 2000 yrs. "Abundant life" clearly refers to heaven.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Nobody takes this scripture literally but yet it is found only a few verses from John 10:10. Clearly, Jesus didn't mean that we would never die. Why take verse 10 in a natural context and verse 28 in a scriptural one?


Matthew 19. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is what the Lord says we will have on earth......

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

[psalms 91]

Why would that matter to a Christian? We are called to follow Jesus, not to desire “earthly” benefits. Aren’t we to set our affections on things above and not on the things of earth?

\o/

It is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves too much, that is poor.​

lol I wish they had a sidestep emoticon but instead will use the dancing around it one Jim, do Jesus's words matter? Are they true? Do we have life more abundantly? Do we pass through storms or are we in them?

 

[psalms 91]

Obviously when the Lord says "life" he is talking about the future promise of heaven. Have you noticed how many christians are sick, poor and dying? It has been this way for 2000 yrs. "Abundant life" clearly refers to heaven.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Nobody takes this scripture literally but yet it is found only a few verses from John 10:10. Clearly, Jesus didn't mean that we would never die. Why take verse 10 in a natural context and verse 28 in a scriptural one?


Matthew 19. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is what the Lord says we will have on earth......

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

If it is future then why is the kingdom of heaven within us? If Christ is the last Adam and rstored us then does that not mean that we are as Adam was, walking with God, having power and authority in Jesus name, oh thats right there is a verse that says that we have power and authority and not only that but we are to use it. My friend there is so much more, yes we are to be spiritual but we are also to use what we havve been given

 

[JimB]

Obviously when the Lord says "life" he is talking about the future promise of heaven. Have you noticed how many christians are sick, poor and dying? It has been this way for 2000 yrs. "Abundant life" clearly refers to heaven.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Nobody takes this scripture literally but yet it is found only a few verses from John 10:10. Clearly, Jesus didn't mean that we would never die. Why take verse 10 in a natural context and verse 28 in a scriptural one?


Matthew 19. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is what the Lord says we will have on earth......

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

​

.

 

[JimB]

lol I wish they had a sidestep emoticon but instead will use the dancing around it one Jim, do Jesus's words matter? Are they true? Do we have life more abundantly? Do we pass through storms or are we in them?

Of course Jesus’ words are true. But do you understand what “life abundant” is? If it is just material things that would be a real downer for me. Actually, at this stage of my life, I am not that interested in earthly advantages. At least I hope I am not.

I wonder, would I serve Jesus without “earthly advantages”? That’s a sobering thought, if you ask me, and one that requires deep reflection?

I hope I would serve Him strictly out of love for Him even without heavenly advantages, much less the earthly ones. I hope I would serve Him because He alone is worthy of my service.

\o/

It is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves too much, that is poor.​

 

[JimfromOhio]

Jesus didn't heal Lazarus before his death because Jesue wanted to "raise" Lazarus from death. If Christ raised Lazarus from the dead by saying, "Lazarus, come forth," I KNOW and assured that when Jesus returns that I will come be gathered by Him to be with Him forever. That's MY hope. When Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life" (Jn. 11:25). He was stating that He not only heals but able to raise people from death. God's promise is eternal because Christ is the mediator of the covenant, that we receive the promised eternal inheritance. With that promise, as a Christian, I always thank God continually for my guarantee of my spiritual security and freedom in Christ. Christ is the mediator of the new covenant, that we receive the promised eternal inheritance.

The Bible repeatedly speak of two kinds of life—physical and spiritual, as well as two kinds of death—physical and spiritual. Physical death is the separation of the immaterial part of us from our material body. Meaning our spirit will leave the temporary body and move on to eternal life. Spiritual death is the separation of a created being from God, who is the very Source of eternal life. The first two humans immediately died spiritually, where cut off from God, and corruption and decay entered the universe. Years later, they both died physically. My Christian view of life and death ends on a very positive future.

 

[mc01svt]

lol I wish they had a sidestep emoticon but instead will use the dancing around it one Jim, do Jesus's words matter? Are they true? Do we have life more abundantly? Do we pass through storms or are we in them?

Notice how in "real life" christians are just as sick and poor as unbelievers, muslims, atheist, buhdist etc. I won't even mention the number of people who have died "in faith" or went backrupt "in faith" or refused medical attention "in faith."

If Jesus's words are true than it leaves only 2 possible conclusions...

A) Jesus was just pulling our chains (lying)

B) Jesus was talking about heaven when he says "abundant life."

I'll take option B.

 

[msbojingles]

oy, all I can say is, my life is DEFINITELY safer and more pleasant being a Christian!


Trials still come, but at least far fewer are self-inflicted!

 

[JimB]

oy, all I can say is, my life is DEFINITELY safer and more pleasant being a Christian!


Trials still come, but at least far fewer are self-inflicted!

You have to wonder what the Christians in Darfur would think about this thread.

\o/

It is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves too much, that is poor.​

 

[franky67]

This is what the Lord says we will have on earth......

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.[/QUOTE]

The way I read 16:33, Jesus is saying,

If I may paraphrase,

In Me you have peace, In the world, you would have tribulation. Take courage, because I have overcome the world, and the tribulation of the world will not defeat you.

If that is not the correct meaning, then how would Jesus' overcoming the world make any difference to us to make us "take courage" as He says.

In the mind of a Jew, (jews wrote the bible) God cares about the whole being of His children, the physical and spiritual, not just the spiritual as the gentile does.

 

[JimfromOhio]

This is what the Lord says we will have on earth......

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

God's GRACE have helped me overcame all of my tribulations. However, we will NOT be tribulation-free while we are living in this temporal life. In our ETERNAL LIFE, we will not face any kinds of trials and tribulations.

 

[churchlady]

Notice how in "real life" christians are just as sick and poor as unbelievers, muslims, atheist, buhdist etc. I won't even mention the number of people who have died "in faith" or went backrupt "in faith" or refused medical attention "in faith."

If Jesus's words are true than it leaves only 2 possible conclusions...

A) Jesus was just pulling our chains (lying)

B) Jesus was talking about heaven when he says "abundant life."

I'll take option B.

Or how 'bout option C:

C) the church has not yet grown up into the full awareness of her inheritance.

 

[J4Jesus]

Or how 'bout option C:

C) the church has not yet grown up into the full awareness of her inheritance.

 

[mc01svt]

This is what the Lord says we will have on earth......

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The way I read 16:33, Jesus is saying,

If I may paraphrase,

In Me you have peace, In the world, you would have tribulation. Take courage, because I have overcome the world, and the tribulation of the world will not defeat you.

If that is not the correct meaning, then how would Jesus' overcoming the world make any difference to us to make us "take courage" as He says.

In the mind of a Jew, (jews wrote the bible) God cares about the whole being of His children, the physical and spiritual, not just the spiritual as the gentile does.[/quote]

I respectfully disagree, intrepreting the words of the Lord from a natural (earthly/human) point of view can lead to anger, disappointment and even resentment.

And I would not call that a paraphrase more like a manipulation.

How did Jesus overcome the world? Through the resurrection that's how. Death had no power over him. Our definition of victory is not the same as God's. The disclipine's died horrible deaths........ sawn it 2, slain with sword, boiled in oil, crucified upside down. the early christians died horrible deaths.... beaten, tortured, thrown to lions
modern christians are dieing.............. car accidents, plane crashes, murders, cancer, aids, war

So was Jesus lying or was he just misunderstood? Obviously cancer, war, eaten by lions, car accidents are not apart of "abundant life." This leads me to the conclusion ............

abundant life = eternal life = heaven

Let's not forget that our bodies are not saved, they are still apart of this corrupt world. Due to this fact we will ALL experience pain, suffering, sickness, destruction and even death. Being a christian will not exempt you from the troubles of living in this fallen world. But Glory to God, we will recieve glorified bodies and the world will one day be restored.

 

[franky67]

Or how 'bout option C:

C) the church has not yet grown up into the full awareness of her inheritance.

How true, if we did, we would do what the Master said to do, in Matthew 10 Mark 6, and Luke 9

Preach the Gospel, cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead.

Now wouldn't this be a better world if Christians did what Jesus commanded them to do?

 

[JimfromOhio]

Or how 'bout option C:

C) the church has not yet grown up into the full awareness of her inheritance.

We are aware however the interpretations of "inheritance" are different. Temporal and Eternal.

Self-Centered - Temporal

God-Centered - Eternal

 

[JimfromOhio]

How true, if we did, we would do what the Master said to do, in Matthew 10 Mark 6, and Luke 9

Preach the Gospel, cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead.

Now wouldn't this be a better world if Christians did what Jesus commanded them to do?

We are commanded to "LOVE" and spread the Gospel of eternal life.

 

[mc01svt]

Or how 'bout option C:

C) the church has not yet grown up into the full awareness of her inheritance.

that's a moot point and a sorry excuse. When does one recieve an inheritance?

As soon as the person with the will dies. Jesus died on the cross and rose again two thousand and seven years ago. The bible was closed and cannonized over 1500yrs ago.

So now you're suggesting that the scripture will not work because "we don't have full awareness." Did Lazarus have full awareness while he was dead and rotting? No, but he was still raised from the dead. John 10:10 had no conditional statement on it.

"I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly, but only if they realize who they are and have enough faith"

So that brings me back to the pt. Was Jesus lying or was he misuderstood? There is no other option.... option C does not exist. The word of God is eternally true, it doesn't turn on and off.