Four Reasons to be Encouraged Today

Whenever you feel discouraged, one of the best things you can do is to count your blessings.  In Colossians 2:9-15, the Bible mentions four benefits of being a Christian.  

1. You are freed from the power of sin.  Colossians 2:11 “You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ."  When you get saved you receive the circumcision of Christ.  He frees you from your slavery to sin, giving you the desire and power to please God.  You can overcome any sinful addiction.  You don't have to commit deliberate sins.  You can become more and more like Jesus.  

2.  You are fashioned with eternal life.  Colossians 2:12 “when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”  When God saved you, He raised you to newness of life -- eternal life.  God promises to give you an eternal home in the paradise of heaven.  

3.  You are forgiven of the penalty of sin.  Colossians 2:13-14 “And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.”  When God saved you, your relationship with Him changed.  He is no longer your Judge, but your Heavenly Father.  You are no longer a child of wrath, but a child of God.  Your debt has been paid.  Your sins are forgiven.

4.  You are fortified from Satan's dominion.  Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him."  When God saved you He transferred you from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son.  The devil can longer possess you or control you.  He can no longer make you do anything wrong.  You are God's property.  You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  The devil can't touch you.  

Be encouraged.  Take time to thank God and praise Him for His benefits.  It is good to be a Christian!  

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