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God’s Conditional Promises

by Micky Galloway

Promises are easily made and sometimes easily broken. We should endeavor to carry out our promises. We must, however, be careful not to make rash promises as we are reminded of the promises of Jephthah (Judges 11:30-31) and of Herod (Matthew 14:7). God has made “precious and exceeding great promises” (II Peter 1:4). These promises certainly are not “rash” as they were in the mind of God before the foundation of the world. There are two classes of promises God has made. Some are unconditional. These are things no one can do anything about. Other promises that God has made are conditional. These promises imply that man has everything to do with God fulfilling these promises. Consider some promises that are conditioned upon man’s obedience.

(1) Forgiveness of sins is a conditional promise. God has promised remission of sins to those that believe on him. “To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). This is not to imply that “faith” is the only condition. Indeed, James wrote, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24 KJV). Though “faith” is a condition (John 8:24), there are many other conditions that must be met before forgiveness is received. Jesus said that repentance is necessary to forgiveness. “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish” (Luke 13:3). Confession is also a condition. The apostle Paul said, “for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). Jesus stated, “Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). Baptism is also a condition of forgiveness. Jesus said to the apostles, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Just as faith is a condition of salvation, so likewise baptism is a condition that must be met to receive the blessing of salvation from past sins. This is what Peter taught the Jews when they asked, “What shall we do?” Peter commanded, “Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38; cf I Peter 3:21). To the erring child of God, there are conditions that must be met to enjoy forgiveness. Simon the sorcerer who had been baptized into Christ offered the apostles money, trying to buy the ability to impart spiritual gifts. In this he committed sin and was instructed to, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:22-23). Simon’s forgiveness was conditioned upon his repentance and prayer.

(2) Answer to prayer is also a conditional promise. Jesus promises that the Father will bestow his blessing upon those who ask. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him” (Matthew 7:11). However, James expressed the condition of faith, “But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” (James 1:6-7). John expressed the condition of obedience, “and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight” (I John 3:22). John also stated that we must ask according to his will.” (I John 5:14-15).

(3) Eternal life is also a conditional promise. “As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise which he promised us, (even) the life eternal” (I John 2:24-25). Certainly, God has promised eternal life, but this promises is conditioned upon His word abiding in us. Paul stated that godliness is a condition having the promise of eternal life. “For bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:8). The Hebrew writer affirmed that patience and doing the will of God are conditions of eternal life. “Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35-36). James said that enduring temptation and being approved are also conditions of eternal life. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which (the Lord) promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

Unconditional promises never fail. “God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good” (Numbers 23:19). Likewise, conditional promises never fail if the conditions are met. “He is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:23).

The value of these promises should move us to obedience. To reject the “precious and exceeding great promises” of God is to receive the promises of punishment for the wicked (Luke 12:16; Revelation 21:8; II Thessalonians 1:7-8). Let us all strive to meet the conditions that will guarantee us the blessings prepared for us so we can hear our Savior say, “Well done good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

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