The Promises of God

“For all the promises of God find their ‘Yes’ in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2Corinthians 1:20-22, ESV). 

The Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church quickly re-emphasizes a profound truth. From the get-go, Paul demonstrates the contrast between the Gospel and prevailing cultural expectations of his time (i.e., AD ~50-60). Whereas false teachers — whose message(s) were permeating deeper into varying groups — are concerned with external qualifications, Paul focuses on the internal heart change brought about by the Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 3:1-4). And whereas Paul’s opponents are concerned with self-commendation by using rhetoric, Paul is characterized by a self-effacing, simple presentation of the truth of the Gospel in word and deed (see 2 Corinthians 4:7-18). 

Let’s end today’s devotional with this: “Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory […] For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory” (2 Corinthians 3:7-8,11). 

Remember, as you **ENCOUNTER** God’s Word, trust that the Holy Spirit is operating in the very moment to transform your heart and to re-organize your life around the promises of God, which find them “Yes!” in Jesus. Trust that it is effectively unmasking — bit by bit, piece by piece — our own cultural idols of wealth, power, and comfort. Only by the grace of God is the Gospel worked – over time – into our hearts so that we can/will recognize the deep implications of the Gospel in every dimension of life.

– Contributed by Bro James Agtuca