A Jot from John
Is being a Christian worthwhile? Are there special and distinctive advantages in being a Christian? New Testament declarations and Christian experience answer in the affirmative. The possessions of Christians far transcend material value.
1. The Christian possesses joy unspeakable: Speaking of Christ, Peter said to Christians, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8.) The joy which the Christian enjoys cannot be fully expressed because it is so great. Real happiness is the fruit of Christian living. The joy of faith, trial, worship and hope belongs to the Christian.
2. The Christian possesses riches unsearchable: (Eph. 3:8.) The riches of Christ become ours through the gospel. Christ became poor that we through his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9.) Christ descended that we might ascend! We are rich because of his grace, and anticipate a rich inheritance that fadeth not away. (1 Pet. 1:4)
3. The Christian possesses peace beyond understanding: (Phil. 4:7.) Peace is the opposite of war. Peace is loved while war is abhorred. The Christian is one who has made peace with God. This peace was made by the cross. (Col. 1:20.) Because the Christian has made peace with God, the peace of God shall garrison his heart.
4. The Christian possesses love which passeth knowledge. (Eph. 3:17-19.) He possesses all the dimensions of divine love. He realizes that the love of God has been shed abroad in his heart that it might be spread abroad from his heart to those for whom Jesus died.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you . . .” (1 Peter 1:3-4) It may be that we can become so concerned over the proper division of our earthly inheritances that we will inadvertently ignore the eternal inheritance to the extent of forfeiting it altogether. While the material inheritance can be snatched away by circumstance, that which is reserved in heaven for the faithful can no man hinder. YES, being a Christian is worthwhile!!!
John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
