PREMSWAROOP MINISTRIES

Promises Of God

"Having therefore these Promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1).

God's Promises given to His children, providing them with the ability, to walk faithfully and victoriously.

"The promises were made to be used--they were made to be used by God's children, by all who will believe them and appropriate them.They were not made to lay concealed in a gilt-edged Bible, but to be read, understood,and used. The fact is, the Bible is like a book of checks put into the hands of the needy, and we are to use them when we want anything: thus God has given promisesto every class and description of persons; and these promises were given not to behoarded up, but to be used--we are to draw liberally and freely upon the divine bountyfor all the blessings that we need... If Christians will but understand and get the impression deeply imbedded in their own minds, that these promises are regarded by God as their inheritance, given them to be used by them under all the circumstancesin which they find themselves placed, they would often much better understand themeaning of the apostle, when he says, 'whereby are given unto us exceeding greatand precious promises.'"

        We are all accustomed to promises. We are also accustomed to seeing them made and broken. Anyone who has lived for a number of years would certainly never lay claim to having kept every promise made. Thereare many reasons why this is true. Sometimes we forget, sometimes we arenegligent, and sometimes it may be due to circumstances beyond our control.

          A brokenhearted young lady will often say,"But he promised to marry me". And the answer comes back: "Yes,but I changed my mind". People do change their mind, and they do breaktheir promises.

              What about the promises of God? How certain arethey? The Apostle Paul, in writing about the promises of God to Abraham,addressed the church at Rome with these words: "For the promise that heshould be heir of the world, was not to Abraham or his seed through the Law,but through the righteousness of faith . . . therefore it is of faith, that itmight be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed"(Romans 4:13, 16).

           God's promise to Abraham was first spelled out in GenesisChapter 12. It was repeated in Chapter 22. Verse 18 reads: "And in thyseed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed myvoice".

                Now a promise is of no more value than is theability of the one who makes it to carry through. It also includes willingnessto do so. God did carry through with Abraham. Paul points out in Galatians3:16, that it was through Christ God intended to fulfill the promise toAbraham. Also in Acts 13:32-33, the Apostle says: "And we declare unto youglad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hathfulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesusagain."

         The contour of Jesus' life, while living on earth,was shaped by his trust in the power of the promises of God. When Jesus said: "I am that bread of life", John 6:48, "I am the light of theworld", John 8:12, "I am the resurrection and the life." John11:25, He did so fully realizing that He had been empowered with this right bythe Father who had promised to raise Him from the grave. There were more than 500 brethren at one time who bore witness to the fulfillment of this promise according to I Corinthians 15:1-6.

                   What can be said about God'spromises to us?

              He has promised to supply every need we have. The Bible says: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus". That's Phillipians 4:19.  Now notice, God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs. That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation thru Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs.

      God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. (II Corinthians 12:9). in fact, He has made provision for our salvation by His grace through faith. Read Ephesians 2:8. It is through an obedient faith that we have access into the grace of God according to Romans 5:2.

         God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided. This promise is recorded in I Corinthians 10:13. Jude wrote: "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present your faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude v 24). Darius, King of the Medes, said to Daniel, "Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee" (Daniel 6:16). He did deliver Daniel from the den of lions.

        God has promised us victory over death. He first resurrected Jesus by way of assuring our resurrection. Peter said: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4). Later on he adds: "but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:57).

           God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). It may be difficult for us to see and understand how this is accomplished at times, but God has promised it, and He will deliver.

            God has promised that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized for the forgiveness of sins will be saved. (Read Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38).

          God has promised His people eternal life (John 10:27,28). In closing, let me appeal to you to live so that the promises of God will be yours.