Reaping the Benefits of Salvation in the Now and the Eternal Realm
When I think of all the blessings that have come since Jesus Christ became my Savior, my past life can never be compared to what I am experiencing now.
Let’s compare our lives to a coin, which has two sides
Look at the head as the greater side, where all the blessings seem to be.
Being obedient
Abiding in His Word – this is the way one can ask what they desire and it shall be done (John 14:13-14). You know why?
These people only desire what the will of God is. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14).
Functioning in the gifts – others are encouraged (Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
We will also think of the flip side of the coin as the lower side where trials, tribulations, obstacles, and challenges come, they are for growth. This will happen when we are living according to God’s will.
Satan especially hates those who are being bright lights, those who do not compromise, because they are advancing the Kingdom of God. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12).
We must remember that God allows these things to happen in our lives for our spiritual growth. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing [trying] of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete [mature], lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).
David said: It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. (Psalm 119:71). Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word (Psalm 119:67).
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
I’m not saying that we enter in because of trials and tribulations, but because of our relationship with Christ. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:18-19).
Though He was a Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8).
Those who give up everything experience both sides
So, Jesus answered and said, assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall 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 (Mark 10:29-30).
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12). We will be greatly rewarded for our faithfulness.
Ps. Jesus paid the price that no coin could pay, but the coin can be used symbolically as the head and tails we go through in this life.
Tomorrow, “We have been delivered from the Penalty of Sin”
~ Betty A. Burnett ~
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