The Promises of God
Introduction. Promises are a fundamental part of relationships with those we love. All future events can be sealed and assured with them. A child sleeps with more contentment, knowing the plans for the morning have been given the pledge of a promise.
God’s first promise was given in eternity, even before the events of the creation had begun: “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (Titus 1:2-3). Before Adam and Even took their first breath, the promise of eternal life had already been given, so the wonderful future of an eternal life with God in heaven has been sealed and pledged to His children.
What is our relationship to these promises? Have we forgotten them? Do we doubt them? Are we assured of them? Do they come to mind every day or just once in awhile? Since these are the motivations for our sacrifices and hard work as Christians, they are very important questions for us to ask ourselves.
God’s promises have the power to change the entire perspective of our life. Whether our focus is on the future or the present is directly related to them. Without these promises, there is no future! “If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” (1Cor. 15:32). But if we trust God’s promises, “we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor. 4:14).
Our “great cloud of witnesses” also testified to the power of these promises to impact our life. They “all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.” (Heb. 11:13-16; 12:2). No one has “received” the promise of eternal life before they died. But they trusted God’s seal and pledge. Like our own children, they lived assured and confident even before they received it. The promises were so precious they not only embraced them, but confessed they were no longer a part of this world. They considered themselves strangers and pilgrims - living in the midst of those who do not believe the promises, but not a part of them. Can we still sing with feeling: “this world is not my home, I am just passing through,” or “I can’t feel at home in this world anymore?”
God’s promises give us this choice. If we want something better than the wicked and selfish evil lifestyle of this world, we can trust Him and take the steps to escape it.
This is exactly what Moses did. He chose to escape the present and look to the future.
Everyone has the right and the opportunity to make this choice and continue to make it. The promises of a blessed future are more than enough to overcome the “passing pleasures of sin.”
Paul’s life was filled with not only this cleansing, but the persecution that all who live godly in Christ Jesus would suffer. Yet for him, there was no longer any choice. His convictions and confidence in the promises made it the most logical and simple to choice.
Yet God also warns us that if we lose sight of these promises, either by forgetting or doubting them, it is all too easy to return to a worldly, sinful lifestyle. Anyone has the opportunity to return, but at what cost?
Conclusion. If we want the better and heavenly country promised by God, then we must keep our eyes on the promises and not on the passing pleasure of sin. God is not ashamed to be called the God of those who trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their own understanding.
God’s first promise was given in eternity, even before the events of the creation had begun: “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (Titus 1:2-3). Before Adam and Even took their first breath, the promise of eternal life had already been given, so the wonderful future of an eternal life with God in heaven has been sealed and pledged to His children.
What is our relationship to these promises? Have we forgotten them? Do we doubt them? Are we assured of them? Do they come to mind every day or just once in awhile? Since these are the motivations for our sacrifices and hard work as Christians, they are very important questions for us to ask ourselves.
God’s promises have the power to change the entire perspective of our life. Whether our focus is on the future or the present is directly related to them. Without these promises, there is no future! “If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” (1Cor. 15:32). But if we trust God’s promises, “we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor. 4:14).
Our “great cloud of witnesses” also testified to the power of these promises to impact our life. They “all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.” (Heb. 11:13-16; 12:2). No one has “received” the promise of eternal life before they died. But they trusted God’s seal and pledge. Like our own children, they lived assured and confident even before they received it. The promises were so precious they not only embraced them, but confessed they were no longer a part of this world. They considered themselves strangers and pilgrims - living in the midst of those who do not believe the promises, but not a part of them. Can we still sing with feeling: “this world is not my home, I am just passing through,” or “I can’t feel at home in this world anymore?”
God’s promises give us this choice. If we want something better than the wicked and selfish evil lifestyle of this world, we can trust Him and take the steps to escape it.
- “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2Pet. 1:4).
This is exactly what Moses did. He chose to escape the present and look to the future.
- “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Heb. 11:24-26). He never looked back.
Everyone has the right and the opportunity to make this choice and continue to make it. The promises of a blessed future are more than enough to overcome the “passing pleasures of sin.”
- “Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2Cor. 6:17-18, 7:1).
Paul’s life was filled with not only this cleansing, but the persecution that all who live godly in Christ Jesus would suffer. Yet for him, there was no longer any choice. His convictions and confidence in the promises made it the most logical and simple to choice.
- “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (Phil. 1:21-24)
Yet God also warns us that if we lose sight of these promises, either by forgetting or doubting them, it is all too easy to return to a worldly, sinful lifestyle. Anyone has the opportunity to return, but at what cost?
- “And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:15-16).
Conclusion. If we want the better and heavenly country promised by God, then we must keep our eyes on the promises and not on the passing pleasure of sin. God is not ashamed to be called the God of those who trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their own understanding.
- Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1Jn. 3:1-3)
- For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Phil. 3:20-21)