“Full Benefits”

Travel with me through time to the era of our grandparents. We’ve made one of our infrequent trips to the general store and purchased, among other staples, a box of oatmeal. Guess what we’ll find inside that box? Yes, we’ll find oatmeal, the old fashioned variety that takes a few minutes to prepare. But in certain brands we’ll also find glassware. “Wedding Crystal Oats” was a leading brand of the time, and many young brides filled their cupboards in this way.

Suppose, however, someone excitedly opened the box to pull out their piece of crystal, but threw away the carton and “packing material”. “What are you doing?” we would ask. “Don’t you realize that the glass is only part of the package? Enjoy the full benefits of your purchase!”

I heard a similar story about an old man who saved his pennies for years so he could take an ocean cruise. The day finally arrived when he boarded the ship bound for the Caribbean. He marveled at the view and enjoyed the ship’s decorations. In the evening he walked back to his economy cabin and dined on dry bread and moldy cheese as wealthier passengers made their way to the dining hall.

After a couple of days someone asked why he had not joined the rest for meals. “I only had enough to buy my fare,” the old man responded. “I cannot afford those lavish meals.” “Oh, but you don’t understand,” the other answered. “The meals are included with the price of your ticket!”

Are there Christians who miserably eat dry bread and moldy cheese, thinking that’s the best that can be offered them? Here’s a message from the apostle John you might want to hear: “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward” (2 John 8).

There is a “full reward” for all who faithfully follow Jesus. But are we laying claim to the fullness of our reward? Or only enjoying certain aspects while enviously watching others who seem to have a joy that we can only imagine?

Paul also urged Christians to receive their full benefits: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).

Some disciples touch only the periphery of faith’s blessings. They take time to worship God, perhaps only once a week, and know just enough to be uncomfortable about their standing before God. They sing with less gusto than others, live less devoted lives, and serve only their own needs. This is not “the fullness of God”.

Jesus provided for a full package of benefits for those who turn away from the world to live for God. His purpose is clear: “… I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Give yourself fully to the Lord and enjoy His full benefits!

Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

Timothy D. Hall.