+DEV+ God's Gracious Promises

Date: February 6, 2011 8:39 PM
Topic: +DEV+ God's Gracious Promises

God's Gracious Promises

"For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless...Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace..." (Romans 4:14, 16).
Scripture Focus: Romans 4:1-16

Human promises are fallible. All denominations of English pound notes bear the caption "The Bank of England promises to pay the bearer on demand the sum of __ pounds." Especially in the current economic climate, they are unlikely to be of the same value in the future as they are today.

God's promises are gracious. That is, there is nothing we can do to earn them. God's gift of eternal life in His Son is all of grace (Great Riches At Christ's Expense).

The new covenant with us is not a contract: God does something for us if we do something reciprocal for Him. I spent a large part of my career in a business based on contractual relationships. No, Christ loved us and died for us when we were still sinners. That is the graciousness of God's dealing.

The Christian life is all about God's promises to us, not about our promises to Him. He is the Promise Keeper while our New Year resolutions fade before January is out! "If we are faithless, he will remain faithful" (2 Timothy 2:13).

Insight: Nothing devalues God's promises. They are free and infinitely valuable. We can confidently cash them right now at the Bank of Faith by prayer!