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When people apply for a job, among the first questions they often ask is, “What are the benefits?” And when people come to Christ, they might well ask the same question, even though salvation is not a job, but a gift we receive by faith in God’s Son. The Bible teaches that when we place our faith in Him, God declares us not guilty—similar to what a judge declares about an innocent person in court. In Romans chapter 5, Paul identifies some benefits that come with God’s “not guilty” verdict. The apostle says we have peace with God. This peace is not just peace of mind, but a new relationship with God; we are no longer an enemy, but God’s friend. We have access to God—the privilege of entering God’s holy presence because God’s Son paved the way by His atoning sacrifice. We also have confident hope of achieving the purpose for which God created us in the first place. The confident assurance that we will achieve this goal enables us to rejoice in our present difficulties. That is because we know how the game will end. The troubles we face today refine our character. God’s Spirit in us assures us that despite difficulties, God’s love remains intact. He will never leave us or forsake us. And these are just a few of the huge benefits for those who trust in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
