THE PROMISES OF GOD

" . . . the promises of God . . . " (2 Cor 1:20; Gal 3:21)

The promises of God are an elixir for the soul wearied by "this present evil world." They lift the veil sin has spread over the future, causing the light of the glory of God to flood our souls. The promises of God, when believed, connect us with the glorious future. The Word of God is filled with promises, and they are intended to lighten the burden of life, bring assurance of participation in the world to come, and neutralize temptation. You should read the Word of God with the promises of God in mind! Look for them.

BECOMING PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURETo become like Jesus is not a moral goal, but a spiritual reality. This is the determined purpose of God – for His children to be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29). How does one become like Christ? How can we "participate in the Divine nature?" The promises of God are the appointed means to this realization. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that BE THESE ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Pet 1:4). The well from which the promises have come is God's "glory and excellence" (verse 3). The Lord has, in His promises, exhibited His most comely traits. More of His Person is in the promises. There His will for humanity is most precisely expressed. In the promises proper objectives for mankind are identified.The promises are "precious and magnificent," or, as the King James Version translates it, "exceeding great and precious." They dwarf everything with which they are compared. When placed beside the very best the world has to offer, they tower high above them. Once you see the "precious" promises, it is easy to abandon even "the treasures of Egypt," as did Moses (Heb 11:26), to obtain them. The promises are transcendent to everything that is made.

THE PROMISES OF GOD HAVE A VALUE OF THEIR OWNThey are not "precious" by comparison alone. Nor, indeed, are they "precious" because they are scarce. They are to be found in abundance, yet remain priceless. They are also "precious" because they enhance our spirits, gladden our hearts, and satisfy our inner thirst. No wonder they are the means through which we become like our Father! Contemplate the promises of God. Look for them! Feed upon them! Believe them!

ALL OF THE PROMISES ARE YES AND AMENThere is a universality to the promises. What Jesus brings is for "all men." The message of salvation is truly "good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). With this in mind, the Spirit witnesses, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Cor 1:20, NIV). If we wonder if the promise of remission of sin (Jer 31:34) is for us, the answer is "YES!" If you question if the promise of "seasons of refreshing" (Acts 3:19) is for you, the answer is "YES!" Dare to believe the promises are for you – that God says "YES!" to you! Then shout the "AMEN!" back to Him, glorifying Him for His grace!

THE PROMISES BECOME AN INCENTIVE FOR GODLINESSIf people are lagging behind spiritually, the promises become an incentive to recover from the devil's snare, and go on to perfection. How vividly this is depicted in second Corinthians. The words speak for themselves. "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 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 Cor 6:16-7:1)

IN CHRIST, YOU CAN SEE YOURSELF AS ABRAHAM'S SEEDIn Christ, you can see yourself as Abraham's seed. One of the aspects of God's marvelous promises is their total fulfillment in Christ. There are two verses in the book of Galatians that reveal this in a foundational way. Dare to believe these things are true – for you! "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." There is no question about the intended receivers of the promises; Abraham and his seed, or offspring. That Seed is particularly identified as Christ. However, the Spirit is not finished with this thought. He continues in the 21st verse. "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal 3:16,29).The people of God have every reason to rejoice in Christ Jesus and be full of hope!

– Given O. Blakely