What are the Benefits of Being a Christian?

The first, and foremost, benefit of being a Christian is that we belong to Jesus. In Him, we have eternal life, and in this world, we have a peace and joy that is beyond anything the world can offer.  In Jesus we have hope, and we have the strength to face whatever comes our way.

To answer this question more specifically, about the many benefits of belonging to Jesus, let’s turn to Psalm 103.  This psalm is a psalm of David and he begins by praising the Holy Name of God:

Psa 103:1  Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

And it continues with an exhortation to remember all the benefits the Lord gives:

Psa 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

So what are these “benefits?”  The list is endless.  The Lord has given us so much. He pours out blessings every day.  He is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), and with His sufficient grace (2 Cor 12:9) and His power living in us (Col 1:27), we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

Psalm 103 goes on to list the many benefits we are to remember:

• He forgives our iniquities (vs 3)
• He heals our diseases (vs 3)
• He redeems our lives from destruction (vs 4)
• He crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies (vs 4)
• He satisfies our mouth with good things (vs 5)
• He renews our youth (vs 5)
• He executes righteousness and judgment for the oppressed (vs 6)
• He makes known His ways (vs 7)
• He is merciful, gracious, and slow to anger  (vs 8)
• He is forgiving and forgetting of our sins (vs 9, 12)

Verse 12 is of Psalm 103 is one of the most precious verses in all the Bible:

Psa 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 

How far is the east from the west?

It is never-ending. Consider this: If God had said, as far as the north is from the south, then we could measure that distance.  Both the north and the south have a demarcation point, a pole, and the distance can be measured.  Starting at the south pole and moving north, one can go no further north than the north pole.  Having reached the north pole one would begin a southward journey.  However, with no east or west demarcation point, if one starts in the east and moves westward, their journey will be without end.

That’s how far from us our sins have been removed.  That’s how full our forgiveness is.  Jesus has forgiven us, totally and without end.

The band Casting Crowns summed this up beautifully in their song East to West:

Receiving the Benefis

When we truly understand and believe that our sins are forgiven, “as far as the east is from the west,” we find rest.  When we “forget not” that we have been washed clean in the blood of Jesus (one scarred hand to the other), we are able to fully receive all the benefits the Lord has given.

A well-known Christian psychologist once said that he would have no patients if he could only convince them that they are truly forgiven. 

God tells us that we:

• have been washed clean by the blood (Rev 1:5)
• are clothed in the righteousness of Christ ( 2 Cor 5:20)
• are sealed (Eph 4:30) by the indwelling Holy Spirit 
• are taught and directed (John 14:26, John 16:13) by the Holy Spirit’s power
• are promised eternal glory (John 10:28, John 17:22)

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits!  Psa 103:2

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Tell someone about how their sins can be forgiven as far as the east is from the west, and how they can trust in the Voice of Truth.