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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n One of the greatest advantages that a person can be given in life is to be trained from birth as a child of God. Surely those of us who have been a part of the church from childhood don\u2019t need to be reminded that, in Christ, we are blessed with \u201cevery spiritual blessing\u201d (Eph. 1:3). Surely we realize that we are \u201cfree from the law of sin and death\u201d (Rom. 8:2), that we have been \u201csanctified\u201d and \u201cjustified\u201d in the name of the Lord (1 Cor. 6:11), and that, as we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:7). Surely we are ever conscious of the enormous debt which has been paid on our behalf, because of our sin (Isa 53:5; Rom. 5:8; Heb. 10:10\u201312;). Surely those of us who are lifelong Christians don\u2019t need to be taught again that God\u2019s way is always the best way (Pro. 3:5\u20136; 14:12; Ecc. 12:13) and that an incorruptible inheritance is \u201creserved in Heaven\u201d for the faithful child of God (1 Pet. 1:4). Surely we realize everything we have as a result of our relationship with God, through Christ, don\u2019t we?<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The more I observe members of the church (myself included), the more I am convinced that, in one sense, those who have only been Christians for a small part of their lives have an advantage over those of us who have been \u201cbrought up\u201d in the church. Obviously, there are some clear disadvantages to being without Christ\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 for most of one\u2019s life. All the lost time and opportunities for growth and service (to say nothing of the hopeless feeling of being \u201cwithout God,\u201d Eph. 2:12) would have to be placed in this category. Ironically, however, the memory of these disadvantages of the past can and often does serve as a powerful motivating force for the present (undoubtedly this was the case in the life of the apostle Paul). The person who has converted from a worldly life (of many years) to the Christian life doesn\u2019t usually need to be reminded of how much he has gained in Christ. He has a clear memory of the burden of sin and of a life which had no meaning or purpose. As a result, this person is acutely aware of the debt he owes and is excited about Christianity, anxious to please God in every way, and eager to teach the Gospel to others. Surely all of us who are Christians (whatever our \u201cage\u201d in Christ may be) need to consider every day just how much we have and just how much we owe.<\/span><\/p>\n [Note: <\/strong>Andy McClish wrote this article for, and it was published in The Edifier, <\/em>weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, August 31, 1989, of which Dub McClish was editor.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 2[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] One of the greatest advantages that a person can be given in life is to be trained from birth as a child of God. Surely those of us who have…<\/p>\n