The Promises of God

Lovins argues that God's promises form the unshakeable foundation of His people's identity and assurance, transcending human circumstances, genealogy, or merit. Drawing on Romans 9, Joshua 21:45, and Jeremiah 1:12, he demonstrates that God's Word—identified with Christ Himself in John 1:1—never fails and accomplishes all it intends, as exemplified in Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the fulfillment of covenantal promises to Abraham. True security for believers rests not on personal achievement, family heritage, or religious upbringing, but solely on whether the gospel has taken root in one's heart and the promise of God abides through faith in Christ.

What does the Bible say about the promises of God?

The Bible asserts that all of God's promises are sure and will come to pass, as exemplified in Joshua 21:45 and Jeremiah 1:12.

Scripture consistently affirms the surety of God's promises, illustrating that not one word of those He has spoken will fail. In Romans 9:6-9, Paul highlights that the true children of God are those of the promise, affirming that the fulfillment of God's promises, such as the birth of Isaac, is paramount. Throughout the Bible, the faithfulness of God is demonstrated, for example, in the way He led the Israelites out of Egypt and in the prophecies given to Jeremiah regarding Israel's future. The Word of God is thus not merely statements; it is God Himself who is active and present, ensuring that His promises are fulfilled.

Romans 9:6-9, Joshua 21:45, Jeremiah 1:12

How do we know God's promises are true?

God's promises are true because they are based on His unchanging nature and have been fulfilled throughout history, as seen in scripture.

The truth of God's promises is rooted in His immutable nature. According to Romans 9:6-9, Paul's discussion on God's promises to Abraham demonstrates that God's word cannot fail. This idea is echoed throughout scripture, where historical events, such as the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and the fulfilled prophecies in Jeremiah, serve as proof of God's unwavering commitment to His word. Additionally, John 1:1 affirms the divine essence of the Word, establishing that what God promises reflects who He is—thus, the reliability of promises is inherent in His character.

Romans 9:6-9, Joshua 21:45, Jeremiah 1:12, John 1:1

Why is trusting in God's promises important for Christians?

Trusting in God's promises is crucial for Christians as it offers assurance of salvation and hope in His unwavering faithfulness.

For Christians, trusting in God's promises provides a foundation for their faith and assurance of salvation. In the context of sovereignty and grace, believers are called to rely not on personal merit but on God's faithfulness to His word as demonstrated in scripture, particularly in Romans 9:6-9 and the narratives of the Old Testament. The fulfillment of God’s promises reassures believers that God is active and involved in their lives. Moreover, as highlighted in the article, one's assurance ultimately rests not on personal or familial lineage but solely on the Word and promise of God, emphasizing the need for a personal faith that sees one's sin and relies on Christ’s perfect sacrifice.

Romans 9:6-9, Joshua 21:45, Jeremiah 1:12

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” - Romans 9:6–9

Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. - Josh 21:45

Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” - Jer 1:12

Scripture, in places too numerous to count, conveys to us the surety of the word and promise of God. In the prologue of John we are told the incredible truth that the Word of God is even God Himself.

"En arche en ho Logos kai ho Logos en pros ton Theon kai Theon en ho logos" (In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and God was the Word). - John 1:1

The Fathers and Prophets gave the people of God hope in the surety of the promises as they saw them fulfilled in their own lives. Pointing back so often to their rescue from Egypt and the miracles God had done in their midst, they were encouraged to rest knowing that when God gives His word, it will be done.

When the apostles refer to Christ as the Word of God they are doing so much more than we often realize (and more than one commentator could expound in a single article), but I would focus our attention here on this aspect of the people of God in the promises of God. Our foundation as the people of God (Israel), is found alone in the promises of God. Paul shows us in his comparison of Isaac and Ishmael that it was not the flesh that mattered, nor the order that mattered, nor anything about the boys themselves that mattered but the promise of God delivered to Abraham and Sarah.

Consider with me for a moment the implications at play here. Are you from a wealthy family? A Christian family? A famous or well known name? It matters not to God. Are you from no one in particular, or you do not know yourself, or even a family that hates and abhors the Lord of Hosts? It matters not to God. Young, old, rich, poor, well, and infirmed are all equal before the Throne of the Almighty. The question before us is a simple one and yet we so often overlook it. It matters not who you ARE, what matters is the Word and Promise of God.

The promises of God are sure. I encourage the reader to explore the contexts of Joshua and Jeremiah that birthed the above statements. How God walked with the Israelites out of Egypt and fulfilled every promise all of their days, and how God appointed and walked with Jeremiah in all His words to Israel about her coming destruction. But even more so, I encourage the reader to think on our quotation from John. Theon en ho Logos, God was the Word. From the Greek we see that this Word is (as to his very nature) God. The Word of God, speaking light itself into existence, calling men out of nations and away from homes to follow Him, raising the dead out of their very graves, is no idle Word. It is He, God Himself, active and moving throughout creation and down even into the smallest corners. In this Word we have all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, who walked amongst us in our own likeness and shared in our humanity.

So when we look at ourselves, specifically at our assurance, what then can we say? We say trust not in "I prayed a prayer", or "I am a good man", or even "my father or mother is a Christian and I was raised a Christian". Trust alone in the promise of God. Has the gospel been sown in your heart? Have you seen the sinfulness of your sin and cast yourself upon the only perfect One to rescue you from the wrath to come? Does the Word of God abide in you? Then the promise of God abides upon you, and all of His promises are as sure as He is.

About Nicholas Lovins

Nicholas Lovins, a St. Louis native, is a longtime friend of Brandan Kraft and the Pristine Grace website.

Topics:

Pristine Grace Gospel Distinctives

Theology:

#Covenant Theology #Soteriology #Grace

301 views Published: Nov, 11 2022 Updated: Nov, 12 2022 More from Nicholas Lovins

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