God’s Promises

Robert Meredith

    God has made many promises to man.  Some of them are conditional, others are unconditional.  Let us notice some of each kind.

    When one considers unconditional promises, he is thinking of promises that God has made that will come about without any action on man’s part.  For example, in Genesis 9:12-17, God made a covenant that He would never destroy the whole world by a flood again.  This is an unconditional promise.  God will not destroy the world by water no matter what man does or does not do.  Also, death is an unconditional promise.  Hebrews 9:27 informs us that man is appointed once to die.  There are no conditional factors to it, man will die no matter what.  If the Lord continues to tarry in His coming, it is unconditional.  Likewise, the resurrection of the dead is unconditional.  Jesus said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29).  This one

general resurrection of the saint and sinner is unconditional.  All the dead will be raised and no one will be left out.  Another unconditional promise of God is the destruction of the world and the judgment which follows (2 Peter 3:10-12; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

  God, in His dealings with mankind, has made several conditional promises.  In these promises, God has said He will do something if man fulfills his part.  When man obeys the Lord, the conditions are met and God fulfills His conditional promise by His Grace.  Forgiveness of sins is a conditional promise.  If not, it would be universalism (all are saved).  Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).  These are the conditions our Lord set forth if one desires to have his sins forgiven.  When one from the heart (Romans 6:17; 1 Peter 3:21) believes on Christ and is baptized into Him, he has met God’s conditions for forgiveness.  If one refuses to believe or to be baptized for the reasons God says to, then God is not going to save him (John 8:24; Luke 7:30).  Furthermore, God has promised that the Christian will never see the second death (Revelation 20:14-15; John 8:51).  This promise is also conditional upon the child of God keeping His sayings.  If the child turns from God (Hebrews 3:12; Revelation 2:4-5; 1 Timothy 5:15), God has said He will blot out his name from the book of life (Exodus 32:33).

  The loving Creator has made many promises to us.  However, there are some things He has not promised.  He has not promised you a second chance after death (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10), this life is your only opportunity.  Live it for Him!  He has not promised you another day (James 4:14), do not put off gospel obedience.  Too, He has not promised to save anyone outside of His church.  The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) and God has promised to save it (Ephesians 5:23).