Promise Keepers

Philippians 3:20-21

It was not that long ago that a movement of men became almost a household name, it was called “Promise Keepers” and it touched many of our lives.   It’s goal was to awaken men to the fact that God is a God of promises, and that he has called men to be promise keepers.  A promise keeper was reminded of these seven promises of God.

1. He has promised to supply every need we have. The Bible says: "But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus". That's Philippians 4:19.  God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs. That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation thru Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs.
2. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. (II Corinthians 12:9). In fact, He has made provision for our salvation by His grace through faith. Read Ephesians 2:8. It is through an obedient faith that we have access into the grace of God according to Romans 5:2.
3. God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided. This promise is recorded in I Corinthians 10:13. Jude wrote: "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude v 24).
4. God has promised us victory over death.  He first resurrected Jesus by way of assuring our resurrection.  Peter said: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4).
5. God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). It may be difficult for us to see and understand how this is accomplished at times, but God has promised it, and He will deliver.
6. God has promised that those who believe in Jesus and by faith through God’s grace receive forgiveness of sins will be saved. (Read Romans 10:9-11).
7. God has promised His people eternal life (John 10:27-30).

That is why Philippians 3:20 is so special to me, our Father has promised this, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  I’m fearful that many of us do not reflect on our citizenship, and if asked the question would say I’m a citizen of the United States, but if you are in Christ, that’s just wrong.  Could that be why we are so earthly minded, we do not know where our home is?  But the apostle Paul wants us to understand that God has promised to do the following; “who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:21) 

I am reminded of Colossians 1:15-20, it tells us of the preeminence of Christ, verse seventeen has such great meaning to me, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”  It is Christ that holds all things together, and someday soon he is going to give the atom permission to come apart, but the Father will transform us who are in Christ, in the likeness of our Lord.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

(Note: I took these seven promises of God from a Goggle site, but edited them.)