7 Benefits of an encounter with Jesus Christ

In a world filled with distractions and challenges, an encounter with Jesus Christ can be a life-changing experience that transcends religious affiliations. Such encounters offer profound insights, guidance, and a renewed sense of purpose. Encounter comes to strengthen our faith and conviction about God and his kingdom. This  offers transformative benefits that touch every aspect of human life. Whenever we lack encounters , our faith in Christ Jesus begins to diminish and if nothing is done about it, sooner or later we will discover that we are faithless believers, remember without faith it's impossible to please the Lord. So one of the attacks of the enemy, is to make believers think that they can serve God effectively without an encounter. That been said, Let's explore seven powerful outcomes of such an encounter, placing our anchor on relevant scriptures and I pray may the eyes of your understanding be enlightened, Amen!!!

1. Salvation and Forgiveness

Encountering Christ brings salvation and forgiveness. The plan of God for man, is to save him from his sins so as to deliver him from enteral destruction. In John 3:16, Jesus emphasizes God's love for the world, offering eternal life to those who believe in Him. Romans 10:9 reaffirms this promise, stating that confessing Jesus as Lord leads to salvation. 

So while we leave our lives in sin, encountering Christ through his word or in a vision will bring us to a place where we see ourselves as siners that needs to be saved and that beautiful experience will bring salvation and forgiveness. See Luke 5:8 

2. Peace Beyond Understanding

In the world today, there's something that is lacking and guss what it is ,that's peace. Switching on our TV set , listening to the radio, reading our News papers ,all we hear is bad news. Is either there's war , economic crisis, natural disasters, Religious war, failed marriages etc. The bad news is, is not going to end till the end comes. 

 One of the benefits encountering Christ gives you is peace. You are at peace with God and you have the peace of God.Through Christ, one experiences a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace isn't dependent on external circumstances like buying your dream house, getting a new car, touring round the world, a rise in your salary, No but comes from a deep, unwavering relationship with Him. I pray you find it.

3. Purpose and Direction

Everyone created by God has a purpose to fullfil and know this, purpose exists before a man. Purpose is created,then God finds a man to fullfil it. That man will not fullfil it until he finds direction which is how to go about it according to Isaiah 30:21. 

So God assures His plans are for our welfare, to give us a future and hope. Encounter with Christ brings clarity, revealing our purpose and providing direction in life. Before encountering Christ, one might feel lost, searching for meaning and direction. However, in Jeremiah 29:11, God assures His plans for us are for good and not for harm, to give us an excepted end. This encounter brings clarity to the confusion, guiding individuals toward their divine purpose.

4. Freedom from Bondage

We are in the world where spirits rules,where the souls of men are bargained for, everyday and where men are been manipulated, this has lead to the imprisonment of many souls without their consent and knowledge. 

So encounter brings freedom as stated in John 8:36 which declares that Christ has the power to set us free and we will be free indeed. An encounter with Him breaks the chains of sin, addictions, and oppressive patterns, offering freedom and liberation irrespective of the years one has indulged in the act. All you need is an encounter.

5. Transformation and Renewal

Encountering Christ initiates a transformative process which brings renewal (2 Corinthians 5:17). He makes us new creations, destroying the old man ,renewing our minds and hearts, leading to a life aligned with God's will and purpose for living. However this renewal isn't merely superficial; it penetrates the deepest parts of one's being, affecting thoughts, desires, and actions.

This transformation isn't instantaneous but rather a continuous process (Romans 12:2). So as individuals immerse themselves in the Scriptures, prayer, and fellowship, this renewal becomes more evident, shaping character and behavior to reflect Christ's likeness.

6. Strength in Adversity 

Spiritual strength is a necessity in our journey with God and in life, because we will be faced with different issues as we journey through life according to Matthew 24:9, and if you fall in the days of adversity, the diagnosis is that your strength is small (Proverbs 24:10). You need Divine strength to stand in these evil days where everything around you went you to compromise your faith and believe system. 

So, In Isaiah 41:10, God promises to strengthen and help us and He said in the beginning of that verse that you should not be afraid because He knows that there are many things that has the capacity to make fear and remember fear has torment. An encounter with Christ provides inner strength and resilience, enabling us to navigate challenges with faith and courage thereby equipping us with the grace to win.

7. Healing and Wholeness

People are going through a lot and most times these things are not self-afflicted problems, it just that they found theirselves in that situation and they can't help it. 

 But Christ's healing touch is not limited to the physical realm. In Jeremiah 33:6 God promised us healing and health and also to reveal his abundant Truth. Many people experience emotional and spiritual healing during such encounters. His love and compassion can bring relief to those burdened by guilt, grief, or inner turmoil, leading to a sense of wholeness. I pray you find it .

In conclusion, an encounter with Christ holds immense importance beyond religious affiliations. It can be a catalyst for spiritual awakening, heart transformation, guidance, healing, purpose, empowerment, forgiveness and the cultivation of unity and compassion. These profound encounters remind us that we can all experience the transcendent and that the teachings of love and forgiveness are universal truths that can inspire us to become better versions of ourselves.

Encountering Christ isn't just a moment; it's a journey that continually unfolds as we deepen our relationship with Him. It's a life-changing experience that redefines our identity and purpose.

Let's pray!!!!