FAITH-RESTING IN GOD’S GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES

2019-02-10T01:29:45+00:00June 9th, 2017|

by Dennis Rokser

Since God’s grace has provided everything that each believer in Christ needs for both time and eternity, there are two crucial questions that we need to squarely face each day.1
1) Will we learn the truths of God’s Word so as to understand His perspectives, principles, precepts, and promises?
2) Will we respond to God’s revealed truth by faith in Jesus Christ?

Ignorance and unbelief are not bliss, but are a serious blunder when it comes to the Christian life. The reasons for this are obvious. You cannot believe something you do not know. Furthermore, to know God’s truth and to not respond by faith allows for no practical appropriation in one’s life. Thus, the knowledge of God’s Word and faith in God’s promises are absolutely essential and delightful companions in every Christian’s life.

The Simplicity of Salvation

Unlike religion which involves a meritorious system of good works to gain God’s acceptance, true biblical Christianity involves a unique relationship with a Person—Jesus Christ. Because of His substitutionary and sacrificial death for our sins on the cross, salvation is offered as a free gift of God’s grace to all sinners apart from their good, religious works and rituals. But like any gift of love, it needs to be received. Regarding this, the Bible is very clear that faith alone in Christ alone is all one must do to be saved from God’s wrath and punishment of sin forever.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (Jn. 3:16-18)For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)

The Riches of Grace

When sinners receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are instantaneously born again into the family of God (John 1:12-13). As a royal member of God’s forever family they are given “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). God now sees them as:

  • chosen in Christ (Ephesians 1:4),
  • unconditionally loved (Romans 8:35-39),
  • accepted in Christ (Ephesians 1:6),
  • redeemed through His blood (Ephesians 1:7),
  • forgiven all trespasses (Colossians 2:13),• eternally secured (John 10:28-30), and
  • permanently sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).

This is a rather brief and partial listing of the believer’s blessings in Christ. These blessings are all given to the believing sinner at the moment of salvation totally on the basis of God’s grace. Understandably, the normal response of “so great salvation” is a grateful heart or attitude of gratitude. In fact, the “love of Christ” is to become a primary motivation in living our lives for the glory of God in service to our wonderful Savior.

Two Extremes to be Avoided

Having been saved by God’s grace, many new believers begin their Christian life without any real clue as to “how” it is to be lived. Apart from an accurate and balanced learning of the Scriptures, two extremes are usually developed or embraced. Either the believer’s walk becomes mechanical, or they embrace the mystical.

Regarding the former, the mechanical Christian life involves rigid obedience to certain rules and heartless compliance to “what is right.” It may involve much “busyness” for the Lord, but it is usually spiritually barren of genuine fruitfulness. The believer sometimes may think he is spiritual by his works, entirely missing the grace of God. This mechanical approach leads to self-righteousness or despair, depending on how one thinks he is doing. It reeks of legalism.

On the other hand, some believers have embraced a mystical kind of Christian life. To them, the walk of the believer is “mysterious” or “deep.” They sometimes search for “new blessings,” failing to see that they’ve already been “graced-out” in Christ. Others fear a demon around every corner, or are seeking a certain spiritual gift to prove their spirituality. New “revelations” are frequently sought. Though the inerrancy of the Scriptures is embraced, the sufficiency of the Scriptures is denied in a practical way. Some have gone so far as to abuse the grace of God as if it were a license to sin. This is a ditch to be avoided at all costs.

The “How” of the Christian Life

So our question still remains: “How is the Christian life to be lived?” As simple and surprising as it may seem, believers are to live from day to day in the very same manner they were saved—“by grace through faith” in Jesus Christ.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. (Colossians 2:6)For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psalms 20:7)

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)

Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

The biblically-based Christian life is neither mechanical nor mystical. It is relational. It is to involve an intimate, personal, vertical fellowship and love with God and Jesus Christ every day.

That which we have seen and heard [Jesus Christ] we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (John 1:3-4)

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3:3)

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

God in His matchless grace has provided His Word and Holy Spirit to enable us to live wisely by faith in His strength. He has further provided His “exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4) and the fellowship of other believers (Acts 2:42) to encourage us on our way. But all of this is only enjoyed and appropriated when we respond to the Lord by faith. And since “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God,” we must consistently read and study the Scriptures.

The Importance of Learning Scripture

Even the casual reader of the Bible should be struck with the incredible importance of understanding and grasping the truth of God’s written revelation. Since “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable” (2 Tim. 3:16), it shouldn’t surprise us to see numerous admonitions in the Bible emphasizing the need and value of learning the Word of God.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. (1 Peter 2:2)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do ac-cording to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Josh. 1:8)

For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life. (Proverbs 6:23)

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. (Psalm 119:71)

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:12)

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. (Hebrews 13:9)

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)

With all of these instructions and encouragements to learn the Word of God, isn’t it time that we take seriously the daily reading, believing, and applying of the Scriptures?

Walking by Faith

When the believer humbly opens the Word of God daily to seek the Lord and His will, the Spirit of truth is free to impress upon them the person and promises of God. Walking by faith results in accepting God’s perspectives, embracing God’s priorities, acknowledging God’s principles, obeying God’s precepts, and claiming God’s promises.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that amidst so much deception and discouragement in our world that God has given us His promises to support our hearts and provide us with the encouragement we need to face life’s challenges? I am told that there are some 7,000 promises in the Bible given to us as believers in Christ. I am sure that many of them are not unique in themselves, but simply run parallel or reinforce the same truth or promise in different words. Understandably, the writer of the book of Hebrews warns his first-century Jewish Christian readership about the danger of failing to enter into the “faith-rest” life.

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (Hebrews 4:1-2)

The “them” of verse 2 is referring to the Exodus generation of Jews who came out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Though they had the possibility of “rest,” they failed to enter in because “the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

A simple principle emerges from their example that we need to note.

Knowing God’s promises + believing God’s promises = enjoying God’s rest

Sad to say, too many believers today fail in their Christian lives because of the same reasons. However, this need not be true of you!

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:9-12)

Numerous promises of God are available in this booklet to encourage you to walk by faith in fellow-ship with the Lord Jesus Christ and to “faith-rest” amidst the challenges of life’s decisions and trials. This listing is far from being complete. In fact, I would encourage you to search the Scriptures further to add to this list. But as you do, let me please put up a red flag of warning that you need to remember.

A Warning to Remember

Faith is not a sophisticated synonym for superstition or presumption. Faith has to do with believing God’s clear promises as revealed in His Word, regardless of our feelings. I hasten to write this because various individuals have become disappointed with God when they have misinterpreted or misapplied Scriptural promises, or have expected God to fulfill His Word immediately. This has especially been true of people in the “name it and claim it / health and wealth” crowd that have misapplied God’s promises of “physical” blessing to Israel in the Old Testament to grace-age believers in the church, who have been promised “spiritual” blessings and simply “food and clothing” physically (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Rightly dividing the Word of Truth here will save you some unrealistic expectations and consequent disappointment with God due to misguided faith.

A Final Encouragement

The psalmist reminds us of the value of memorizing Scripture when he wrote:

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You! (Psalm 119:11)

I trust that you will take to heart this biblical encouragement and do likewise. Start to put to memory these precious promises of God’s truth. And then, believe them! You’ll be glad that you did! ■
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1. The following article is excerpted from the introduction to the booklet The Promises of God for the Child of God by Dennis M. Rokser, published by Grace Gospel Press.

Dennis Rokser has been the pastor-teacher of the Duluth Bible Church since 1985 and has authored numerous books, booklets, and articles designed to reach the lost and meet the spiritual needs of believers.