God Always Keep His Word

I once had a client who, whenever I make a request, will never say no, but will always answer yes, but only a few he will fulfill.

I also have a client who, even if I don’t ask, will give me something valuable like SUV vehicle, and other cars, as a reward for winning a “big” and important case for him. This client, by the way, has the largest assembly and rebuilding plant not only in Mindanao but in the Philippines, so he can afford to be that generous.

I have a client who, whenever he travels abroad, without fail thus far, would bring home a branded imported T-shirt for me which he personally delivers to my office. And he oftentimes travel abroad.

The latter two class of clients, unlike the first, are very successful and blessed in their businesses because truly as Jesus Christ have promised, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). It is so nice and invigorating to have friends and acquaintances like those I have described above.

Jesus Christ has a virtue more remarkable than the clients I just described. He is beyond compare in His generosity and gift giving and love and concern for people. In fact, the Word of God says, “But God commendeth (or demonstrate) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, He died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:8-9 KJV). This is the best gift and reward – the salvation of our soul. It is not only a material gift or reward: it is an spiritual and eternal gift.

Whenever God makes a promise, 100% he will faithfully comply. It may take a long time like His promise of a son to Abraham and Sarai - - 25 years, but surely it will be fulfilled. However, many of the promises of God are conditional. For example, his promise of eternal or everlasting life is conditioned upon our “believing in Him” (John 3:16). Another example is what Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5 KJV).

Being born again in water is the natural birth in the flesh, or being born out of our mother’s womb. Being born in the Spirit is being transformed from the natural man into spiritual when a man hears the gospel (or good news) that only Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God can save him from hell, and this man believes what he heard or read from the gospel, and becomes a follower or disciple of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This is, what has been discussed above, the so-called doctrine of “born again”, which is the sinner’s passport to heaven. Like the wind that we never see with our eyes, so is being born again in the Spirit. As with the wind that we do not see, we can see however the effects. Thus, we know where the wind blows. So also in being born again, we do not see anyone born for the second time or in the spirit, but we see the second birth by a transformed behavior or life. Thus, one who used to speak bad words now only words of edification. One who used to gossip is no longer a gossiper, and so on and so forth. In other words, he can be described in one word: Christlike in his thoughts, words and deeds. This man or woman can be trusted in his/her word.

If God makes a promise and that promise is written in the canonized Bible, it is sure to happen or it will really come to pass. We who have put our trust in Jesus Christ (God in person) for our salvation can be sure that God will keep His word. Because “He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). He, refers to God (Jesus Christ in person). The author of Hebrews encouraged believers to boldly “draw near” to God, confident that He has accepted us and our sins have been forgiven (v. 22). And we are to encourage one another to be faithful to Him because we know that He will one day return for us [referring to Jesus Christ] (vv. 24-25) and abide (Rev. 21:3) and reign with him forever and ever (Rev. 22:5).

Being a follower or disciple of Christ is doing or acting like Jesus Christ, like what his original 12 disciples did – worship God, serving God, showing LOVE and concern for others, to spread the gospel, etc.

The most important gospel (or good news) is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This proves that Jesus’ promise of resurrection on the last day is true because he proved it by his own resurrection, and thereafter lived forevermore. He is now in the right hand of God the Father interceding for the sinners (for us who will repent, accept and receive Him as Savior and Lord). No religious leader or anyone for that matter ever resurrected yet – only Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God, thus far. Lazarus resurrected by Jesus’ command, to show the power of God (His power also), but he died again, and has not yet resurrected up to this day.

But someone will ask, but I am a simple farmer, or a doctor, or a lawyer, or a soldier, how can I be like the disciples of Jesus Christ? The Bible tells us, “You have to remain in the work, vocation or profession where you are found by God. You don’t have to abandon or resign from your work. You can serve the Lord God whatever your vocation or work may be. Thus, the Bible says, “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called” (1 Cor. 7:20 KJV). In another translation, it says, “You should continue as you were when God called you (NLT [New Life Translation]).

We have a hope that is based on the trustworthy promises of God. Trust the LORD with all thine heart (Prov. 3:5 KJV). Our future is secure. God has always proven Himself to be as good as His word or promise.

(FGBMFI Davao City Chapter Bulletin, February 9, 2013)