What has GOD
promised you? The Bible is a veritable gold mine of
promise for the Christian, holding an inexhaustible reserve of
real eternal richness. How many of us though, are surface
miners, panning our little stake, and never risking the deep
walk with GOD to where HIS veins supply. As a result, we
become adopted paupers, paddling in our stream, and boasting of
the nugget or two we have stumbled upon ... resisting even their
redemption, for fear of never finding another.
"And this is the promise that HE hath promised us, even eternal
life." HE stands at the
entrance to an endless shaft of excessive wealth:
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding
great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers
of the DIVINE nature ... That in the ages to come HE might shew
the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us
through CHRIST JESUS."
What motivates you? Paul states here that he was an
apostle "according to the promise of
life" ... and these were not empty words, for they
came from CHRIST JESUS, Who had bested death. Dear friend,
true motivation is not found in the stream of man's empty words,
but in the mine of CHRIST'S empty tomb.
Who is your
guarantor? Promises are inextricably linked to the one
who makes them and are worth no more or no less than the
character of the promise-er: "For when
GOD made promise to Abraham, because HE could swear by no
greater, HE sware by HIMSELF," Have you found man's
promises of liberty to be less than tenable?
"While they promise them liberty, they
themselves are the servants of corruption: ..."
Paul claimed a promise from GOD: "...
for he is a chosen vessel unto ME, to bear MY name before the
Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew
him how great things he must suffer for MY name's sake."
... and he discovered the glorious fulfillment that:
"there hath not failed one word of all HIS
good promise" ...and thus he went to his grave,
motivated and ensured:
"In hope of eternal life, which GOD, that cannot lie,
promised before the world began"
For all the promises of GOD in HIM are
yea, and in HIM Amen, unto the glory of GOD by us."