Benefits of a Christian life

July 29, 2024

By Editorial Team

"In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death" Prov 12:28

Many times we are prone to thinking that there are no benefits to being a Christian. Following Christ is too much trouble. It looks like we are not accomplishing much, when others are doing so well. Solomon writes down in Proverbs 9,10,11,12 etc the benefits of being a believer(“righteous”) and why it is worth living the faith life.

Each book of the Bible has its own literary style. In Psalms, David shows forth Christ, his life and Cross (Ps 22) and Resurrection (Ps 16:10). etc. But his son Solomon, had a mixed audience. It was more secular, because many wise men of that age, kings and queens came to his court to understand wisdom. So he wrote Proverbs, more like Pithy sayings of the day, in this Christ is hidden. The only place he appears openly in the show is in Chapter 8 as Personified Wisdom, where he is mentioned as being with the Father from everlasting before Creation (8:22-30). He co-created the Heavens and the earth with God. I was working with the Father, as we created the earth, set its foundations as a Master craftsman and Architect, placing limits for the oceans and hills etc. And later he goes on to say that, even though am in Heaven, daily my delights are with the sons of men upon the earth (8:31). We all think that Jesus loves being in Heaven, but this passage shows us that, he longs to come and visit us and be with humanity. What a privilege! And we give that up running after wordly things, and being very busy, yes even me, so busy... Most Bible scholars agree that Prov 8 is about Jesus. Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24).

“Righteous” in scripture always means someone whose sins are forgiven. If we believe in Jesus sacrifice on the cross for us, we are forgiven, Righteous before God and have Everlasting life. That is the greatest Blessing one can ever have, but there are continual Blessings in Christ.

Here we enlist briefly, the benefits of being a believer as Solomon saw it.

Blessings are on the head of the Righteous. (10:6)
Your work and career are Blest. The labour of the righteous leads to life. (10:16)
The Righteous will come through trouble. (12:13b). God will deliver you from traps and health issues and oppression of people and whatever the wiles of the enemy. He will give us Justice and recompense.
Tent of the upright will flourish (14:11b). Your family will be a blessing to many. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine and children like olive plants (Ps 128:3). Our lips will feed many(10:21).
The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish (10:3). Jesus will take care of your material needs too.
Righteousness delivers from death(10:2). From death traps, diseases, evil people, murder etc. Last week, we saw how a bullet grazed Donald Trump’s ear, and saved his life by an inch, one can only say God saved him. Such deliverances are truly miraculous. God will save us too, who are covered in the Blood of Jesus.
Desire of the righteous will be granted(10:24b), God will hear your prayer and make a way. Hope of the righteous will be gladness (10:28). He will satisfy you abundantly.
Jesus will add to you health and longevity. By me your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you (9:11). The life of Christ in you, will pull you up. (Col 1:27).
After you die, even your memory is blest and sweet. You will have an impact on society. The memory of the righteous is Blest (10:7).

In contrast, very briefly the life of the wicked…

He who trusts in his riches will fall (11:28), riches cannot save you in the day of wrath (11:4). Fear of the wicked will come upon him. The wicked are overthrown (12:7). They are led astray (12:26), fall into trouble, shamed, exposed. When the Judgement of God comes, even the mightiest kings and captains and rich men, are running for cover (Rev 6:15-17). House of the wicked will be overthrown (14:11), and its lamp put off.

You may be enamoured by riches, successful careers, actors or politicians etc. In eternity, fire will test every man’s work (1 Cor 3:13). Only that which is done for Christ will last, everything else will vanish into nothing. So therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor 15:58).

So let's continue the faith life and preach the Gospel. He that winneth souls is wise! (Prov 11:30).

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work (Rev 22:12)”.