Kate said benefit.
Go
Benefit, anything that provides an advantage, a helpful effect, or a profit.
My bible reading today was Mark 13 and Matthew 24 where Jesus gives a “heads up” to His disciples about trials and tribulations yet to come. Whilst he doesn’t specify a date, he gives signs and warnings of the beginning of end, “but be on guard, i have told you all things beforehand”.
Matt 24:14 reassures us that the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the world and then the end will come. Not before. We all as Christians have the mandate to share the gospel (Acts 1:8), this verse in Matt 24 is a comfort that the Lord prevails. No matter how impossible it looks right now, we win. Jesus wins.
This is a benefit of being His. Not only being forewarned and prepared but the comfort of knowing that no matter what shakes our world, no matter the persecution and affliction and woes, we are part of an unstoppable kingdom.
Mark 13:11 (ESV),
“And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit”
and
Matthew 24:6 (ESV)
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet”
Jesus reassures us in John 10:28-29,
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand”.
This is the best benefit of being a follower of Christ. The knowledge that, before, during and after the trials He is with us.
This post has been shared on the following blog link-ups – Five Minute Friday
(Image credit: Razvan Chisu on Unsplash)