The bottom line for all Christians in these last days is to be prepared for Jesus’ return. This is achieved by loving Him, and loving Him means obeying His commandments (John 14:21) of righteous living. When Jesus returns, He will not take with Him Christians who practice lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-23). Basically, the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Now, in addition to getting caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus at His return and thereafter always be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:17), there are many other blessings that God has promised the righteous – those who practice righteousness (1 John 3:7).
Those who love God by obeying His commandments will experience and enjoy a deeper relationship with Him in this life. Jesus said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).
Those who love God by first and foremost obeying His commandments will also have their prayers answered. It is written, “whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).
The list of blessings for the God lovers is endless: Moses said, “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant . . . He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land . . . You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. And the Lord will take away from you all sickness (Deuteronomy 7:12-15).
These words of David are true and we must take them to heart: “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so.” (Psalms 1:1-4)
Therefore, as you can see, it pays to live righteously for God. The benefits are not only those of the life to come but also for this earthly life. Many Christians want the blessings from God but are unwilling to ‘pay the price’ of love – of obedience to His commandments. It does not work like that my friends. Even then, “what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
God bless you.