GOD’S PROMISES TO MAN IICor.

6:14 to 7: 1

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever made a promise to someone before?

 Did you keep the promise?

 Has anyone made a promise to you that he/she did not keep?

Definitions

 A promise is a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified-
it is a declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect.

Biblical Promises:

The Bible contains many different kinds of promises:

 Promises one makes to himself

 Promises man to his fellow man
 Promises made by man to God
 Promises made by God to man

Promises made by man are uncertain, but those made by God are certain.

God’s promises are:

i. Precious: II Pet. 1:3-4: According as His divine power hath given unto us all things
that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us
to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises
that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust.
ii. Unfailing: I Kings 8:58:- That He may incline our hearts unto Him to walk in all His
ways and to keep His commandments and statues and His judgements which He
commanded our fathers.
iii. Will surely occur: Rom. 4: 20-22:- He staggered not at the promise of God through
unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that
what He had promised, He was able to perform. And therefore it was inputted to him
as righteousness.
iv. True and Sure: II Pet. 3:9:- The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some
men count slackness but is long suffering to us not willing that any should perish but
that all should come to repentance.
v. He is faithful in His promises: Heb. 10:23:- Let us hold fast the profession of our faith
without wavering (for He is faithful that promised)

TYPES OF PROMISES MADE BY GOD

1. Unconditional:
a. the earth will never be destroyed by water again: Gen. 9:11
b. The Lord will return someday: Acts 1:11, John 14:3
c. There will be a resurrection: John 5: 28-29
2. Conditional Promises of God:
a. The crown of life: Rev. 2:10:- Fear non of those things which thou shall suffer,
behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye might be tried and
ye shall have tribulation unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.
b. Forgiveness of sin: I John 1:7:- But if we walk in the light as he is in the light
we have fellowship one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleansens us from sin.
c. Rest for the weary: Math. 11:28-30:- come unto me all ye that labour and are
heavy laden and I will give you rest.
d. All these things shall be added unto you: Math. 6:23

DISCUSSION

1. What did God promise us in II Cor. 6:14, 7:1

a. I will dwell in them and walk in them vs 16
b. I will be their God and they shall be my people (vs 16)
c. I will receive you (vs 17)
d. And I will be to you a father and ye shall be ny sons and daughters (vs 18)
2. All the above promises denote a special relationship with God.
3. All these are vital in a wholesome physical relationship and more so in our
relationship with God.
4. How do we receive God’s promises mentioned in the Bible passage?
a. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers (vs 14). Paul taught his Corinthian
brethren of the need for their being matched up only with others of like
 precious faith. If a believer is in an association with unbeliever, the believer
will be unduly influenced by the unbeliever. It is inconsistent and impossible
to be yoked to the world and God at the same time. Eph. 5: 7, 11

Since there is no common ground between these then there is no harmony

between a believer and an unbeliever.

Paul warned the Corinthians against any encroaching alliances with the world.
If we entangle with the world, it will prevent us from receiving the conditional
promises of God-: come ye out from among them, and be ye separate- and
touch no unclean thing- II Cor. 6:17

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood an holy nation, a peculiar

people that ye should show forth the promises of Him who hath called you out
of darkness into His marvellous light.

Our flesh is defiled when our hands and feet and bodies do the bidding of sin.
Phil. 2:12-13

More readings:

i. Titus 2:12-13
ii. II Cor. 10:4-5
iii. I John 2:15-19
iv. I Peter 1:13-31
v. Matt. 6:24
vi. James 4:4

CONCLUSION

Meeting the conditions to benefit from God’s promises implies that:

 God will be a father to us and will treat us as sons and daughters. The way we live has
a tremendous impact on our relationship with God.
 We must first become Christians and be free from the guilt of past sins.
 We must then walk in the light of the gospel (I John 1: 7-10) and faithfully worship
God (Acts 2: 42) and work in the kingdom I Cor. 15:58.