In the vast majority of religions that exist, people must live in perpetual fear of their gods. They either are continually forced to follow an incredibly rigid lifestyle, perhaps praying five or even more times per day while kneeling on a small carpet, and facing a particular direction. Others are forced to follow elaborate rituals of generating prayer flags, or sand art, etc. Some use prayer beads, or recite ancient prayers from old books, or elaborate dances or other physical activities, which may include self-mutilation. Others invoke special magic arts to entice their deities to act on their behalf, for good or evil, according to their desires.

Other religions force their members to continually appease their deities. They frequently place offerings before statues housed in household shrines, in temples, or in other shrines. Some continually create paper objects to be burned in an effort to send precious items to their ancestors or other deities.

There are many ways that people attempt to either appease or coerce their deities. They don't really expect any potential good things, they just don't want their deities to torment them. The best that they can hope for in this life is to be left alone. If they do everything right throughout their entire lives, and if their deities are positively disposed toward them, they may attain heaven, or some other reward for faithful service. In the case of reincarnation, they earn the right to live again in a higher social class, or ultimately attain "nirvana," the supreme state of nothingness.

The God of the Bible, however, actually promises rewards in this life, in addition to the ultimate goal of heaven. A long list of these benefits is given in the book of Deuteronomy (28:1-14), which includes such things as children, financial prosperity, protection of all one's assets, success in all one's endeavors, victory over all one's enemies, and establishment as a respected individual. These are a few of the benefits that one is encouraged to expect in this lifetime.

There are more spiritual benefits listed in Matthew 5:3-12, and Luke 6:20-23 (the beatitudes), and scattered elsewhere throughout the New Testament. As Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b, NKJV) As the Lord has said: "the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him," (2 Chronicles 16:9, NKJV) and "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, ... and all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land...." (Malachi 3:11-12, NKJV) Truly, it is the Lord's intent to pronounce blessing on all who are willing and able to receive it.

These blessings are real, and tangible, as well as spiritual blessings in this lifetime. The blessings of the God of the Bible are meant to be enjoyed by real people in this life! Yes there are "pleasures forevermore" (Psalms 16:11c, NKJV) in heaven, but there are real blessings to be had and enjoyed now!

Are you forever working for an unsure future that has been promised by a purported deity that may or may not be trustworthy, or are you expecting real benefits in this life? Is the spiritual life your are living today producing blessings for you now, or must you wait for unsubstantiated rewards after you die? If you cannot receive at least a portion of your reward now, how can you have any assurance that the promises offered will ever be delivered? Can you really trust a deity who is rarely, if ever, seen rewarding anyone in this life? You decide.

Copyright (c) 2007 Jon Straumfjord