Promises Broken. Promises Kept.

In this world, seems especially in this day and age in the USA, one is constantly hearing and making promises. Promises are wonderful things to hear. Men and women are elected based upon promises. The covenant of marriage is based upon promises. Prospective employees promise a good days work for pay and benefits. Employers promise in return for a good days work pay, benefits and fair treatment will be enjoyed by the employees.

Alas in a broken and dying world filled with sinners promises are made to be broken. Some are broken because when made there was no real desire to keep them. The others are broken because we do not have the ability to keep them. With all good intentions we may wish to live by these promises but fall far short.

In either case we need the Eternal Promise Keeper:

Romans 10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ESV

Behold all the promises in the above section. Wow! What a wonderful section filled with the assuring promises from the One who keeps promises perfectly. Even in the reading of it one may think that it cant be all that easy and good. Others will object and start thinking of people who confess with the mouth but do not live the life. Or at least that is the unrighteous judgment of the person judging the life of the other.

So what are you going to do? Toss doubt at everyone who sees these promises and latches hold on them with full assurance and faith? Or will you give this to a terrified sinner in the hour of doubt due to his or her failings in what he or she has done or left undone? Remember what the righteousness based on faith says both to you and the other sinners in your life. What we do is of no consequence in this equation. Rather in whom we place our trust for salvation.

This is the radical done didness of the Gospel of our Lord. Salvation based solely on his perfect life, death, burial and resurrection. The deeds are done. The price is paid. Death is conquered. Eternal life secured. What is left for us to do?

In the Name of Jesus. †