Resolutions!
V24 n1
We are now about a week into the new
year, and how many promises or resolutions that you made to start the
new year, have you kept? Of these promises or resolutions that you have not
kept, how many were made to God?
Definition for resolutions: fixed determination; firmness of purpose; decision; declaration; promise or pledge; oath.
What if God kept His Word and His promises as we do? (Although we know this is not true, nor possible, for God is not a man that He should lie).
In last weeks newsletter, we talked about how a person has the tendency to quite often put things off until tomorrow. One usually has determined in their own mind, that they have something a bit more pressing or urgent, then the promise or commitment that they made to God. And so, they put off that which they told God that they would do today, until some later date or time. What if God kept His promises in the same manner?
2 Corinthians 6:2, (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) KJV
Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation. It
is this day, in which one should be doing all that they can to be pleasing to
God. Yet, where does God fit into your plans or priorities of this day?
Paul tells us that we are to present ourselves unto God, a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto Him. It is Father’s plan of salvation that one is supposed to come into agreement with. It is His plan of salvation that was placed into motion or being, before the foundation of the world. Yet, how often is it that one will try to tell or dictate to God how they think things should be?
2 Corinthians 1:20, For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. KJV
Let’s
look at Adam Clarke’s comments on this verse.
[For
all the promises of God] Had we been light, fickle, worldly-minded persons;
persons who could only be bound by our engagements as far as comported with our
secular interest; would God have confirmed our testimony among you! Did we not
lay before you the promises of God? And did not God fulfil
those promises by us-- by our instrumentality, to your salvation and his own
glory? God is true; therefore every promise of God is true; and consequently
each must have its due fulfilment. God will not make
use of trifling, worldly men, as the instruments by which he will fulfil his promises; but he has fulfilled them by us;
therefore we are just and spiritual men, else God would not have used us.
[In him are yea, and in him amen] All the promises which
God has made to mankind are yea-- true in themselves,
and amen-- faithfully fulfilled to them who believe in Christ Jesus. The
promises are all made in reference to Christ; for it is only on the Gospel
system that we can have promises of grace; for it is only on that system that
we can have mercy. Therefore, the promise comes originally by Christ,
and is yea; and it has its fulfilment through
Christ, and is amen; and this is to the glory of God, by the preaching of
the apostles. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
Let’s look at a few of Barnes
comments on this verse.
[For
all the promises of God in him] All the promises which God
has made through him. This is another reason why Paul felt himself bound
to maintain a character of the strictest veracity. The reason was, that God
always evinced that; and that since none of His promises failed, he felt
himself sacredly bound to imitate Him, and to adhere to all His. The promises
of God which are made through Christ, relate to the pardon of sin to the
penitent; the sanctification of his people: support in temptation and trial;
guidance in perplexity; peace in death, and eternal glory beyond the grave. All
of these are made through a Redeemer, and none of these shall fail.
[Are yea] Shall all be certainly fulfilled.
There shall be no vacillation (wavering) on the part of God; no fickleness; no
abandoning of his gracious intention.
[And in him amen] In <Rev. 3:14>, the Lord Jesus
Christ is called the "Amen." The word means true, faithful, certain. And the expression here means that all the promises
which are made to people through a Redeemer shall be certainly fulfilled. They
are promises which are confirmed and established, and which shall by no means
fail. (from Barnes' Notes)
Let’s look at a few of
Rather,
How many soever be the promises of God in Him is the
"yea" (`faithfulness to His word; ' contrasted with the "yea and
nay," <2 Cor.
[And in him Amen.] `wherefore also through Him is the Amen'-- i. e., In Him is faithfulness, ("yea") to His
word, `wherefore through Him' is the immutable verification of it
("Amen"). As "yea" is His word, so "Amen" is His
oath, which makes our assurance of the fulfillment doubly sure. Compare
"two immutable things" (namely, His word and His oath) in which it
was impossible for God to lie <Heb.
All
of God's promises find their realization and fulfillment in Christ. (from
Wycliffe Commentary)
Let’s quit looking for, as well as making excuses on why we will not do that which we told Father we would do, or that which Father may ask of us. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. This is why Paul told us to be followers of Him, as he was of Christ.
Psalms 119:89-92, 89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. 92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. KJV
[For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.] Thy
purposes are all settled above, and they shall all be fulfilled below.
[Thy faithfulness] That which binds thee to accomplish the promise made. And this shall be, not for an age merely, but from generation to generation; for thy promises refer to the whole duration of time. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
Today, will
you come into agreement with God?
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka
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