Someone recently sent me an “in Christ” ID Card. It had my name on it and stated that I have been identified in Christ’s death, resurrection and victory, with the privilege of receiving every benefit provided in Jesus Christ.
           
          That got me thinking. What are the benefits of being a Christian? When we interview for a new job, we like to know what benefits we’ll receive. Is there vision and dental coverage, prescription and pharmacy benefits, specialist services, mental health coverage?

           Today, I would like to look at five benefits of being a Christian. There are many, many more , but I have chosen these five in the interest of brevity.

1. We are washed clean by the blood of Jesus. “From John...and from Jesus Christ the Faithful witness, the Firstborn from among the dead...(who) has loosed us from our sins by his own blood, and...has appointed us as a kingdom of priests...” (Revelation 1:4-6 TPT).

     Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and we have freedom from the power of sin. “

2. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. "...the Anointed One, who had never experienced sin, became sin for us so that in Him we might embody the very righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21 VOICE).
 
    Think about that. When God looks at you, He doesn’t see someone dressed in rags. He sees someone clothed in the very righteousness of His Son, Jesus. Take off those old rags, and put on the righteousness Jesus died and rose again to give us.

3.     We are sealed by the Holy Spirit. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin)” (Ephesians 4:30 AMPC).

   In Paul’s day, the sealing he refers to was an official mark of identification placed on a letter, contract, or other document of importance. Usually made from hot wax, the seal was placed on the document and impressed with a signet ring. This identified the document as being under the authority of the person who owned the signet ring. God has sealed us with the Holy Spirit that we are His own, beloved children.

4.     We are taught and directed by the Holy Spirit. We are not rudderless. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13 NKJV).

       As you can see from the NKJV quoted above, some English translations say the Holy Spirit will guide us into “all truth”. However, the Greek New Testament includes the definite article - the Holy Spirit will guide us into all the truth.

       Truth today is relative. But Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). When we listen to and obey the Holy Spirit living inside us, then we know real truth.

5.     We have the hope of eternal life. “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand (John  10:28 AMPC).

      Not only do we have the hope of eternal life, but through Jesus, we have victory here on earth. “But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere...” (2 Corinthians 2:14 AMPC). It doesn’t say that sometimes or maybe He will lead us in triumph. It says always.
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       In conclusion, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (EXB), “So my dear [beloved] brothers and sisters, stand strong. Do not let anything move you.” As we stand firm and immovable, our feet stuck in the cement of God’s Word and His promises, we will be victorious. Praise the Lord for His amazing benefits.

        Do you want to be a mighty man or woman of God? I know I do. In our home group Bible study, we will be looking at the Book of Joshua. There are three things I have noticed about Joshua, which made him a mighty man of God.

1. He believed God

                In Joshua 1:2-3 (NIV), God said to Joshua, "“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.  I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”

             You know the story. Twelve spies went to explore the land. Ten came back with a bad report – the cities are fortified, there are giants, and we’re like grasshoppers in their sight.
           
              Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report. I like the Message translation of Numbers 14:6-9: “Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, members of the scouting party, ripped their clothes and addressed the assembled People of Israel: “The land we walked through and scouted out is a very good land—very good indeed. If God is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land that flows, as they say, with milk and honey. And he’ll give it to us. Just don’t rebel against God! And don’t be afraid of those people. Why, we’ll have them for lunch! They have no protection and God is on our side. Don’t be afraid of them!”
           
           Joshua believed God would give them the land. All they had to do was believe what He said, not be afraid, and go in and take the land.

          At the end of his life, in Joshua 23:14 (MSG), he said, “As you can see, I’m about to go the way we all end up going. Know this with all your heart, with everything in you, that not one detail has failed of all the good things God, your God, promised you. It has all happened. Nothing’s left undone—not so much as a word.”

2. He sought God
 
         Even after Moses left the Tent of Meeting, the Scripture says Joshua would continue to stay. “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle” (Exodus 33:11 NKJV).

      When Moses and the elders of Israel ascended Mount Sinai to see God and eat in His presence, Joshua was with them. And as Moses’ assistant, he and Moses ascended still further. Exodus 24:16 (NKJV) says, “Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days...” Joshua experienced the glory of God.

        Deuteronomy 34:9 (NKJV) says, “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him...” The Holy Spirit passed from Moses to Joshua to enable him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

3. He obeyed God

        a)  God gave Joshua a strange battle plan for taking the city of Jericho. March around it once for six days. On the seventh day, march around seven times. Have seven priests blow the trumpets as they walk in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Then have them give one long blast on the ram's horn. The people were to shout and the city wall would collapse. When that happened, they were to go in and take the city.
       I wonder what went through Joshua's mind when God gave him this plan. He didn't let his reasoning get in the way. He did what God told him to do and the result was victory.

    b) “Joshua renewed the Covenant at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. “Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction.  Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them” (Joshua 8:34-35 NLT)   

    c) Everything God commanded Moses to do, Joshua did. Joshua’s obedience encouraged the Israelites to follow the Lord. “And Israel served the Eternal faithfully for as long as Joshua lived, and then throughout the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had seen all the mighty things that the Eternal One did for Israel” (Joshua 24:31 VOICE). 

CLOSING PRAYER
           
         Dear Lord Jesus, I want to be a mighty woman (man) of God like Joshua – to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and my neighbour as myself. Enable me, in the power of Your precious Holy Spirit, to believe Your Word, seek Your ways, and obey Your commands. As I follow You, I expect to see walls coming tumbling down – in my own life and in the lives of others and the power of darkness to be replaced by Your light as ground is take  for the Kingdom of God. I pray this in the precious Name of Jesus, Amen.