Fringe Benefits

In today’s economy, most people are happy just to have a job. If the job is full-time you’re double blessed. And, if the job comes with fringe benefits, you’re triple blessed!

Fringe benefits are benefits an employer provides to employees in addition to their salaries. It can include things like sick pay, paid vacation and health insurance.

But did you know that becoming a follower of Jesus Christ also provides fringe benefits?

“Now hold on just a minute,” you may say. “What fringe benefits does God provide?”

It may surprise you, but being a follower of Jesus Christ comes with the best benefits – both in and out of this world! However, like most jobs, it also comes with difficulties.

Jesus said, “No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (…and with them persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”

The Bible makes it clear that everyone is invited to follow Christ in faith. But not everyone does. For those that do it says, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

To become God’s child brings immediate blessings. According to the Bible, God’s free gift to his children is eternal life. He also forgives all their sins.

These blessings are not theirs because they are good enough or become worthy to receive them. The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Grace means getting something you don’t deserve. It is un-merited favor. A gift from God.

After you become his child, the Bible reveals other benefits, as well. It says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In Christ you’re at peace with God. No longer do you need to fear standing before him as your judge.

Next the Bible says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” So after you make peace with God, you receive the peace of God – inner peace from him.

As God’s child you also become the beneficiary of divine favor. Since God is now pleased with you, you can bring your needs to him. The Bible says that, through Christ, we “have access to the Father by one Spirit.” And Jesus assured us God would supply his children’s needs.

Another fringe benefit for God’s children is they have a guide through life. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” And a shepherd guides his sheep.

“The Lord is my shepherd,” the Bible says. “He leads… he guides me along the right paths.” If we lose our way, Jesus knows and is the way. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

The good news is that Jesus is able to bring you to God. The Bible says, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

God’s children also have someone that will claim them. Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Because they’re family.

If you have not yet followed Jesus Christ in faith and become a child of God, I encourage you to take the first step today. In your own words tell God, “Father, please accept me. Not for what I’ve done but because of what my Lord, Jesus Christ, did when he died on the cross for my sin.”

When you take that step, you not only become God’s child but you get all the fringe benefits!

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!