Go to the Home page Weekly bulletin plus article archives
(There are two articles on this page)

Precious and Magnificent Promises

by Chris Simmons

As Peter addresses those of “like precious faith” in his second epistle, we read in II Peter 1:4 that by God’s own glory and excellence, He has “granted to us His precious and magnificent promises.” That same verse explains that the purpose of such promises is so that each one of us “might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” That is, that we might obtain the eternal reward. The word “precious” in verse 4 means, “held in honor, esteemed, especially dear” (Thayer). The word “magnificent” is a superlative word which simply refers to something of great importance. But what are some of these “precious and magnificent promises” that God has given to those who obey him?

The promise that God will hear our prayers. “And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him” (I John 5:14-15). As with all of God’s promises, there are conditions upon which each “precious and magnificent” promise will be granted. In the case of prayer, John states that the promise that God will hear our prayer and grant our request is based on the condition that we ask “according to His will.” We are also taught in scripture that God does not hear the prayer of the wicked or the one who is not willing to do His will (John 9:31; I John 3:21, 22; Proverbs 28:9).

The promise that God will not forsake us. Though friends and family may desert us and turn their backs on us, we are promised, “’I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6). This promise is only to those who, according to verse 5, have not put their trust and faith in riches and the material things of life, but in God. We also know that God’s promise to never forsake us is only for those who never themselves forsake God and who “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23) and who are “faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10).

The promise that “all these things shall be added unto you” if we seek Him first. In the context of Jesus’ discussion about worry and anxiety over the things of this life, Jesus promised that all of the necessities of life will be provided to those who “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” If we seek God’s righteousness first, then we will also be aware of our responsibility to work for the food and other necessities of life (II Thessalonians 3:10).

The promise that we will not be tempted beyond what we are able and that God will provide a way of escape. “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13). No matter how difficult, God has promised that we can endure it. No matter how strong the temptation, God has promised that there is always a way of escape. Our responsibility comes in that must have the courage and conviction to “flee” those situations that present such moments of temptation and trial (cf., I Corinthians 10:14; I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:22).

The promise that He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. In the same context as these “precious and magnificent promises,” Peter also speaks of the promise that God has already “granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (II Peter 1:3). There is no need to wait for a latter day revelation or any other message from God. Everything we need to live godly lives and obtain eternal life has already been granted to us in His revealed word.

The promise that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. The devil, Satan, is indeed a roaring lion “seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8) and is worthy of great alertness and soberness on our part. But the truth is, he can be resisted (I Peter 5:9) and we are promised that if we do, he will flee from us. James writes, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). What is our part? First, to submit and “draw near” to God (James 4:8). Second, to equip ourselves with the full armor of God that we might be able to overcome Satan in this spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-17).

The promise that we will be God’s people and that He will welcome us and we will be His children. “For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ says the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:16-18). We have been promised the opportunity to become “sons and daughters” in God’s family by being adopted into His household (Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 4:5). Those who are obedient to the gospel and remain faithful have the promise of being God’s chosen people even as Peter writes in I Peter 2:9-10, “but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Perhaps most importantly, we have the promise of eternal life. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). But eternal life is only for those who “fight the good fight” and who “keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Timothy 6:12-14).

Certainly, we have been given promises that are to be held in honor and greatly esteemed. Such promises are to give us great comfort and hope when we have fulfilled our responsibilities when we reflect on what Joshua wrote concerning what is recorded in Joshua 21:45, “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.” God’s precious and magnificent promises will not fail!


“Fields…White Already To Harvest”

by Micky Galloway

When we lived in Arkansas, we had the opportunity to see huge fields of cotton that gave meaning to this expression. Just imagine four hundred acres of cotton, a literal sea of white, ready to be harvested. The Lord said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). These words are echoed by the apostle Paul as he spoke of an “open door” or a “door of utterance” (I Corinthians 15:9; II Corinthians 1:12; Colossians 4:3). John wrote of the “open door” which no man can shut (Revelation 3:8). Opportunity “knocks,” it does not beat the door down. As we drive into the Antelope Valley and stop at Vista Point to view the valley, we are reminded of opportunity. Living in the valley are approximately 300,000 souls in need of the gospel. This writing concerns itself with opportunities that are ours to teach God’s Word and our preparation and determination to take advantage of these opportunities. To be a Christian is not a dead belief, but a vibrant way of life that deeply affects our standard of conduct. A part of that conduct is our consciousness that those about us are lost.

Let us pray for an “open door.” The apostle Paul asked the Colossians to pray for him, “that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3). It is right to pray for opportunities. Perhaps the very reason things are not more favorable for the growth of the church is our inability to see that we live in a “lost and dying world” and our apathy to pray for it. James said, “the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). To fervently pray for opportunity means to rid ourselves of the fear of the responsibility associated with open doors. This can be done by preparation.

Let us get past “me-ism” (concern only with ourselves). Too many of us focus so entirely upon ourselves, “me first,” that we fail to see opportunities and therefore fail to act when they abound. Paul said some would become “lovers of self” (II Timothy 3:2). Yet, the same apostle taught that we are to “bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying” (Romans 15:1-2). Even among brethren there is opportunity to teach. Paul said, “Let no man seek his own, but (each) his neighbor's (good)” (I Corinthians 10:24). Paul also said, “Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). Wouldn’t that go a long way in our efforts to teach others. What a “door” of opportunity we have to restore those who have become wayward (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20).

Let us believe in the power of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). In a world that held the gospel in contempt, Paul with the threat of persecution preached it boldly. Paul had seen the gospel at work among Jews first and also among Greeks. “The words of eternal life” are words that are “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). The gospel is ever relevant and can transform your neighbor and mine if they will receive it with the realization that it is the revelation of God. Evidence of this truth is seen in every example of conversion in the book of Acts. Indeed, we have in our possession the power of God to change lives, but failure to proclaim it results in continued ungodly living that sends people to hell!!! Jesus commanded, “Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby” (Matthew 7:13-14). On that broad way leading unto destruction will be someone’s mother, father, grandparent, friend, neighbor or work partner. In that great day of judgment will they say, “You met me day by day and knew I was astray, Yet never mentioned Him to me”?

Let us be aware of the unconverted. There are masses of souls who are hungering and thirsting for the truth. Many question their religious convictions. They know they are at sea without chart or compass. WE have great opportunity. Indeed, the fields are white unto harvest and the laborers are so few. In Acts 8, those who were scattered as a result of the persecution, “went about preaching the word.” Until we understand that the success of personal work is dependant upon each one personally working, opportunities will go by the wayside.

Reaping the harvest of lost souls will not occur by accident. Let us prepare ourselves for the greatest work on earth. Someone has said that there are four hinges upon which the gates of opportunity swing: initiative, insight, industry, and integrity. Surely, we have integrity, but what about the others. Let us never forget that procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.

Go to the Home page Weekly bulletin plus article archives