Saturday, March 9, 2013

Salvation’s Eternal Blessings


As we have seen, believers receive an abundance of God’s gifts the moment we are saved, and those rewards continue and grow throughout our Christian walk. But the best is yet to come – those eternal blessings we will enjoy in His presence forever more!

Because of God’s mercy (Psalm 136, Titus 3:5 Hebrews 4:16), we are spared from the punishment sinners deserve and will suffer throughout eternity (Luke 16:19-31), apart from the righteousness of Jesus Christ..All our sins, past, present and future, are forgiven (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). We will not have to account for our sins at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), for Christ was the perfect sacrifice Who has already paid our sin debt in full. We are not doomed to eternity in hell (Matthew 10:28; Mark 9:43; Luke 12:5; Matthew 23:27-32; Acts 2:25-32; 1 Peter 1:3; Jude 1:21).

Because of God’s grace, we have eternal life. Whether we die physically, or if we are still living when Jesus returns and we are Raptured (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16), we will ultimately live forever in a glorified body (1 Peter 1:3,4,23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26)  that will never sin, age, get sick, or feel pain or sorrow (1 Corinthians 15:41-49; Revelation 21:4).

We will live forever with Christ in Heaven, in a special mansion that Jesus is preparing specifically for each believer (John 14:2-3). We can’t begin to imagine the delights of the New Jerusalem, with gates of pearl, walls of precious stones, and streets paved in gold. The river of life and the tree of life provide complete healing. But by far the most exquisite delight of Heaven will be experiencing the love, the glory, and the physical presence of Christ Himself, His brilliance alone illuminating the city (Revelation 20:10-23; 22:1-5).

We will be forever reunited with our loved ones in Christ. Heaven means never having to say goodbye. We will have all eternity to spend with our family and friends who trusted Christ as their Savior. All the saints of all time – Abraham. Mary, Paul, Peter, John, just to name a few – will be there for us to share in their experiences and learn from them (1 Thessalonians 4:17).



Can you imagine what it will be like to see those saints whom we helped know the Lord – whether we led them through the sinner’s prayer and watched them trust Christ, or even if we didn’t know while on earth that our witness had any effect?  People saved through missionaries we helped support financially or in prayer, or people who read a tract we left on a restaurant table, may all run up to us and thank us! Even better, we’ll realize the impact others had in leading us to Christ or encouraging us our Christian walk, and we’ll get to thank them in person!  
 
We will know Christ as He is. No longer will we look at Him through a glass darkly; we will see Him face to face and comprehend His majesty, glory and wisdom (1 Corinthians 13: 9-12). Mysteries will be revealed and truths known. We will no longer have to accept only by faith that He works all things together for our good, for He will show us how He orchestrated every detail and apparent mishap in our lives not only for our good, but for His glory (Romans 8:28).

We will receive eternal rewards at the judgment seat for believers. We will not have to give an account of our sins, for they are already forgiven and paid for by His shed blood. But He will review everything we did with our life since we were saved, as well as opportunities He gave us but that we did not use to tell others about Jesus, to encourage and teach other believers, and to glorify God. For every good thing we did with the right motive, we will be rewarded (1 Corinthians 3: 11-14).

Based on this judgment, some believers will receive crowns, which we will give back to Him because of our awe and love for Him (Revelation 4: 4,10). These rewards and crowns will determine positions of responsibility in His Kingdom when He returns to earth to rule in perfect justice and peace for 1000 years (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:6).

Throughout all eternity, we will pursue meaningful and enjoyable projects and fields of study to challenge and delight us, and we will have the joy of worshipping Him with all our talents and all our being (Revelation 5:8-14). What could be better than the unending joy of being in Heaven, in His presence, with all that He has lovingly designed especially for us?


© 2013 Laurie Collett
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49 comments:

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Denise! God bless,
Laurie

mail4rosey said...

I heard a sermon once about God's favor, or maybe I was reading...I can't accurately say, but I do remember it was talking about the great people in the Bible and how all of them messed up...a lot, but those who had favor with God still received many a blessing. God knows we're not perfect, and I think as long as we're striving to live the life he wants us to, and we are praying to live in his will, he understands and doesn't withhold from us when we do mess up (and boy do we mess up).

As for joining family and loved ones, I was just praying this morning for friends and family who are not saved. The Earthly side of me aches for those who will not be there...and I pray a lot, hoping those numbers diminish greatly.

Donald Fishgrab said...

As I Timothy 4:8 says, "...godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." The benefits are not limited to one life or the other. After hearing others brag about how much fun they had getting in fights and having to run for their lives when an opponent pulled out a gun, I think about how much I've benefited by not doing those things.

Laurie Collett said...

Our pastor likes to say that when God looks at our hearts, He looks for our direction. We will continue to fight our sin nature until God takes us home --even Paul wrote about that struggle. So we can't be perfect, but we can continue to die to our sin nature and to yield to the Spirit, and that is the direction God wants to see.

May God bless you for your faithfulness in praying for lost family members. God hears those prayers, and as long as there is breath, there is hope that they will come to a saving knowledge of Him.

Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen! There but for the grace of God... Praise Him for His countless blessings here and now, as well as throughout eternity.
God bless,
Laurie

Unknown said...

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Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
our walk can be full of trials but we are always strengthened if we follow the guidance of the Lord through those trials. Though we take no thought for tomorrow for the evils of today are enough, if we keep our eyes fixed on our beautiful Saviour whose hands our times are in, then we can be assured that we shall have all the promises of God in Him. God bless you

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Marie for your comment. God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Brenda! Our Lily of the Valleys works through the trials as well as the blessings, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
Reading your latest blog has really edified me!
I too, have this problem about my family, my elderly parents actually nominal Catholics.
But today I went to visit my seriously ill father, who is in his mid eighties, after suffering several strokes.
He was having breathing difficulties, and as he was gasping, I heard him clearly calling out, JESUS, JESUS.
To me this seems like a desparate call from the heart. Concerned, I asked him if he was afraid of death.
He replied that he certainly wasn't afraid, and he was ready to face it.
I have been praying for my parent's salvation for many years. I have even "preached" to them about salvation in Jesus Christ. But at the end of the day, they were upset that I turned my back against the Catholic faith, believing that the Church has been around for much longer than the Protestants, who they believe are more concerned with money than with spiritual matters.
Only God knows what's going on in their hearts, and all I can do is commit them to his care.
God bless,
Frank.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
I am blessed to hear that you find this post edifying, and that it came at a good time for you to read it.
I believe that some in the Catholic Church are saved, provided they place their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as the only way to Heaven. But those who trust in indulgences, purgatory, "saints" to be revered, etc., may not be.
I would take your father's crying out to Jesus as a good sign. While there is breath there is hope that prayer and witness will be effective.
Praying for your parents. God bless,
Laurie

Frank E. Blasi said...

Thanks for praying, Laurie.
God bless.

Laurie Collett said...

You're very welcome, Frank!
Blessings,
Laurie

Anonymous said...

What rich promises! He is so good to us! :)

Janis Cox said...

Laurie,
Following you again on Hear it on Sunday Use it on Monday. too funny.
And even stranger - that is what I read this morning - about eternal blessings. I thought about painting a pathway after reading Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence; with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
Just love following God,
Blessings
Janis www.janiscox.com

Laurie Collett said...

Amen! We cannot even begin to imagine the richness of His blessings now and to come! Thanks so much for your visit & comment.
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Surely there are no coincidences with God! I love your idea of painting a pathway with that verse! That would look so beautiful in a garden. The ladies' Bible study class I teach went on an outing to Bok Towers, a local garden, and we had a blessed day reading Scripture as different flowers and views called to mind different verses. Thanks as always for your Spirit-filled comment, and blessings to you!
Laurie

Laura said...

I always love the Word-drenching I find here, Laurie. Good thoughts, friend.

Charlotte said...

What a good reminder of the joys that await those who are in the Lord. But also the terrible fate of those who are not. This should encourage us to encourage more people to follow Christ.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Unknown said...

Very inspirational Laurie. We have a merciful and forgiving God so that we can always live with HOPE for the future. Take care and enjoy the rest of the week.

Laurie Collett said...

This is beautiful, Lucy! Thanks so much for visiting & for posting this. I am now following both of your blogs, and I hope you will follow Saved by Grace also.
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Laura, for your sweet encouragement! You are always such a blessing!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Charlotte, for your kind words! Amen -- as believers, we need to keep a strong vision not only of Heaven, but also of hell so that we will always realize the urgency of sharing the Good News.
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Judy! Praise God for the blessed hope we have in Him!
May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

a joyful noise said...

Beautifully written. We are neighbors at Joans Beauty Grip. This is my 6th try to type the correct letters. They are difficult for me to see.

Janis Cox said...

Laurie,
I am following you From Soli Deo Gloria Party.. Too funny. I sometimes think I am chasing you. I hope you had a great day. I am going to paint now. I painted another Tadeo picture maybe for my next book - but this one is in Batik watercolour.
Blessings,
Janis www.janiscox.com

Unknown said...

After my husband's grandmother dying last week, I am grateful to remember that she is safe and joyful with Him.

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Hazel. I really appreciate your perseverance in commenting. I still have Captcha because I have had a lot of spam on another blog without it. You are a great blessing!
Hope you have a wonderful week in Him!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Janis,
OK, I guess we're just meant to be neighbors! :-)
Can't wait to see the Batik -- sounds awesome!
Blessings to you!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Jen! Praise God that she is in perfect joy and peace, and that you will see her again and never have to say goodbye. Praying for you and your family.
God bless,
Laurie

Veronica Lee said...

This is truly beautiful and a great reminder of the eternal rewards awaiting those who believe.

God Bless!

Mommy Emily said...

hi friend, you linked this up with my Dare to Love meme on Mondays... i'm thinking you wanted to link it up to Imperfect Prose? that will be live at my place later on today. thanks!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Veronica, for visiting & for your lovely comment!
God's blessings to you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Sorry about that, Emily -- yes, I was confused, I'll be back for Imperfect Prose! Thanks for straightening me out, & God bless you!
Laurie

Veronica Lee said...

Hi again Laurie! I'm now following your lovely blog via GFC.

Have a nice day!

Unknown said...

Hello there! Thanks for spreading the message...

Pamela said...

Reminds me of the song, "What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace..." Even so come quickly.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Lois, for your visit & sweet comment! God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Veronica! God bless!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Pamela! I love that hymn. Amen -- come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Blessings to you,
Laurie

Unknown said...

All of these promises....linked one upon the other.
Glory to God.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Holly! We can stand on His promises! Thanks so much for your visit & inspiring comment, & God bless,
Laurie

Court D said...

The thought of seeing those who have gone before me is precious this week as I'm stealing myself for a funeral of a baby. There are still some things I just don't understand.

Katherines Corner said...

another wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your lovely blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop xo

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Court! We can't begin to understand His ways and thoughts, which are so much higher than ours, but we can have faith in His promises. He cannot change and He cannot lie. Praise God that we will be reunited with our loved ones in Christ, and with those He brings home before they reach the age of accountability.
Praying for you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Katherine, for your encouragement & for hosting!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Angelique, for your kind comment and for hosting!
God bless,
Laurie

AngieOuellette-Tower said...

Just writing to let you know that you are featured on my blog right now ( http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2013/04/march-blog-shop-hop-results.html ) because you received the most "clicks" from last month's Blog & Shop Hop!
Thanks
Angie
godsgrowinggarden.com

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Angelique! I am honored & blessed! May God bless you and all you do to share His Word!
Laurie