Pastor Hill: The benefits of salvation

Psalm 68:19: As the dying thief was hanging on his cross, he began to consider the stories he had heard regarding the man, Jesus, hanging next to him. He only had a few hours of life remaining. He decided to place his trust in Jesus and asked the Lord to, “remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Luke 23:42. Not long after his request, he entered into the presence of God for all eternity. He began immediately to enjoy the benefits of salvation.

Speaking the Truth in Love by Pastor Tommy Hill

Speaking the Truth in Love
by Pastor Tommy Hill

Those of us, who have placed our faith in Christ, even though we are still living upon the earth, are also able to enjoy the benefits of our salvation. What a great comfort to know we do not have to wait until we enter Heaven to share in much of what God has provided. Sometimes due to the trials of life we forget about all we have in the present so allow me to share just a few thoughts on some of our benefits of salvation. We have;

ACCESS TO GOD’S POWER: Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” God’s power is available to every believer. What a great privilege we receive when we yield to His work in our lives. God uses His power to transform us into the image of His Son. The hungry crowd was witnesses to His power when they all sat down to a meal of fish and bread. The disciples witnessed His power when He spoke to the wind and it ceased blowing. Jarius saw his daughter raised from the dead. God’s power can feed us (spiritual nourishment) when we’re hungry, protect us when we’re in the midst of a storm, and give us life when we are “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2). There’s nothing God’s power cannot do for us (Luke 1:37).

ACCESS TO GOD’S PRESENCE: When Christ died on Calvary’s Cross He opened up the way for us to enter directly into His presence. There is no longer a requirement for the High Priest to enter within the veil and make intercession for us. Do you remember the story in the Old Testament when Esther went in to see the king? She went without being summoned and thus went at the risk of her life. We, as Christians, have immediate and direct access to our King and there is no fear regarding our lives when we go to speak with Him. May we not overlook this wonderful blessing. We don’t have to wait until we get to Heaven to talk with God. The first century church was often found praying and receiving answers from God. When Peter was locked in the prison, they prayed all night and God heard and answered their prayer. God opened the prison doors and Peter walked out.

Psalm 34:17, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” God wants us to tell Him what we need. To do this we must come into His presence.

ACCESS TO GOD’S PLAN: We are people with a plan, a purpose, and privilege, because we have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only do we have access to God’s plan through His word, we are an integral part of His plan through salvation. The Bible teaches us that one day, as His plan unfolds, we will find ourselves meeting the Lord Jesus in the clouds with all the other saints. What a great reunion day that will be when we are once again reunited with our loved ones who have walked this road ahead of us. God’s plan is to take us to our heavenly home where we’ll live with Him for all eternity and all others who have trusted Him by faith. We do not wander through this world aimlessly hoping for something good to happen to us, we have already become joint heirs with Jesus and now we await our departure date for that bright and glorious city that He has gone to prepare (John 14). He’s coming back ( 1 Thes. 4:13-18) to get us and we’ll enjoy the wonderful seven years of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, then we’ll return with Him for the thousand year millennial reign when the earth and all inhabitants will finally know perfect peace.

It’s all part of God’s plan. It’s our benefit of salvation. Are you included? Have you made preparations?

Pastor Tommy Hill is the pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church in Hamlet. He is a Richmond County native. He can be reached at firstfwbchurchhamlet@gmail.com. His column will appear each Friday in The Pee Dee Post.

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