His Promise!

TEXT:

‘As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him, who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises’ – 2 Peter 1:3-4

THOUGHT:

“But Daddy you promised!”

How often this scenario occurs in the home, when either Mum or Dad fails to deliver on a promise made to their children.

The UK election is in its final week of canvassing before voting takes place on June 8th. How many broken manifesto promises will there be whichever party forms the next government? Ecclesiastes 5:5 warns, ‘Better not to vow (promise) than to vow and not pay.’ This is especially important when making promises to God and then not carrying them through. Fortunately God is not like that, as Numbers 23:19 makes abundantly clear, ‘God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?’

Whilst reading 2 Peter I was struck by the several references to promises and in Today’s Teaching I want to highlight their significance. Peter starts his epistle by reminding Christians that they have been given exceedingly great and precious promises. He then contrasts this with false teachers who make empty promises, declaring that believers can be free from the lusts of the flesh while they themselves are still ensnared – 2 Peter 2:18-20. Who would take seriously any prisoner stating that they are free when all the time they are still behind bars! It’s a deception and a delusion.

Peter reveals three promises that God will totally keep.

• The Promise of Christ’s Second Coming – ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’

Some find it difficult to reconcile, ‘Behold I am coming quickly’ – Revelation 22:12 with the fact that over 1900 years have passed since that statement was made. But 2 Peter 3:8 reminds us, ‘With the Lord one day is as a thousand and a thousand years as one day.’ So in God’s eyes it may not be such a long time compared to our way of thinking. The promise that the angels made to the Apostles when Christ ascended still holds true – Acts 1:11. The question is, “Are you expecting His return?” Words spoken with urgency need to be acted upon immediately. True faith only works in the now for ‘Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation’ – 2 Corinthians 6:2.

• The Promise that everyone still has the opportunity to be saved – ‘The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance’

Whom among your family, friends and colleagues is not yet a Christian? Aren’t you thankful that Christ has not yet returned? It means there is still opportunity for them to be saved. God does not want anyone to perish. He wants everyone to be saved but He cannot save anyone who will not repent.

• The Promise of new heavens and a new earth – ‘Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells’ – 2 Peter 3:13

How different this world is now from when it was first created. It has gone from very good to rotten! Many feel it cannot continue on its present course. Long before its resources are exhausted, man’s wickedness will force God to bring things to an end.

There’s a new world coming where righteousness will take centre stage, not sin. Obedience will be the norm, not rebellion. God will once again be able to freely fellowship with His people and not be hidden away because sin has separated man from God.

All too often a person comes to the end of their life and can only look back at what they are leaving behind. Thank God, that for the Christian, when they reach that point, they can look forward with confidence to what lies ahead. Paul got it absolutely right when he wrote, ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain’ – Philippians 1:21. He had a desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better – Philippians 1:23.

Is that true for you too? Whose promise will you believe?