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THE STABILITY OF THE PROMISES
MANKIND in general discover much versatility in their spirit and conduct. They form purposes and rescind them according as they are influenced by carnal hopes or fears; but the Gospel teaches us to lay our plans with wisdom, and to execute them with firmness. A light, fickle, wavering mind, if not incompatible with, is at least unworthy of, the Christian character. St. Paul has been accused of “lightness” for not paying his intended visit to Corinth. It is probable too (as appears by his apology) that his enemies had thrown out insinuations against his doctrine also, as though it could not be depended upon. He thought such charges extremely injurious to his person and ministry: he therefore first affirms that his doctrines had been uniform, and next appeals to God, that there had been the same uniformity in his conduct also [Note: ver. 23. He assures them that he had delayed his journey, not from fickleness of mind, but from tenderness to them.]. In speaking of his doctrine he digresses a little from his subject; but, what he says of the promises, is worthy of peculiar attention. It suggests to us the following important observations:
I. All the promises of God are made to us in Christ Jesus—
God has “given to us exceeding great and precious promises”—
[He has engaged to bestow all which can conduce to our temporal welfare: all too, which can promote our spiritual advancement. To this he has added all the glory and felicity of heaven itself. Such are the benefits annexed by God himself to real godliness [Note: 1Ti_4:8.].]
But all these are given to us only in Christ Jesus—
[Man, the instant he had sinned, was exposed to the wrath of God; nor could he any longer have a claim on the promises made to him in his state of innocence; but Christ became the head and representative of God’s elect: with him God was pleased to enter into covenant for us [Note: Heb_8:6.], and to give us a promise of eternal life in him [Note: 2Ti_1:1.]. Our original election of God, our adoption into his family, with every blessing consequent upon these, were confirmed to us in him [Note: Eph_1:3 to Eph_5:11.]: hence, in the text, it is twice said, that the promises are in him; and, in another place, that they were made before the existence of any human being [Note: Tit_1:2.]: even when the covenant was apparently made with Abraham, Christ was the true seed in whom alone it was confirmed [Note: Gal_3:16-17.].]
From this circumstance they derive all their stability.
II. In him they are all firm and immutable—
The terms “Yea and Amen” import steadfastness and immutability. Now the promises cannot fail unless they be either revoked by God, or forfeited by man; but God will not suffer them to fail by either of these means—
He himself will not revoke them—
[Some of his promises are absolute and others conditional: the conditional are suspended on the performance of something by man: the absolute are made without respect to any thing to he done by us [Note: Such are the declarations respecting the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, together with the consequent calling of the Gentiles, and the salvation of all that from eternity were given to Christ. Joh_17:6.]. If the former fail, it is not so properly a breach of promise, as an execution of a threatening implied in it [Note: This is the true import of what God says, Num_14:34.]: the latter never have failed in any one instance; nor can one jot or tittle of them ever fail to all eternity. This is declared in various passages of Holy Scripture [Note: 1Sa_12:22. Isa_54:10. Jer_31:35-37; Jer_33:25-26.]. God’s word, like his nature, has “no variableness or shadow of turning:” he confirmed his promises with an oath, in order that we might he more assured of the immutability of his counsel [Note: Heb_6:17.]: hence it is expressly said, that “the promise is sure to all the seed [Note: Rom_4:16.].”]
Nor will he suffer his people to forfeit their interest in them—
[Doubtless his people, as free agents, are capable of apostatizing from the truth: yea, they are even bent to backslide from him [Note: Hos_11:7.]; and, if left to themselves, they would inevitably fall and perish [Note: Isa_10:4.]: hence they are bidden to take heed lest they come short of the promised blessings [Note: Heb_4:1.]. St. Paul himself felt the need of much labour and self-denial to prevent his becoming a cast-away [Note: 1Co_9:27.]. Nevertheless these truths are not at all inconsistent with the doctrine insisted on: it is by the fear of falling, that God keeps us from falling [Note: Php_2:12-13.]; and he will keep us by his own power unto final salvation [Note: 1Pe_1:5.]. Of this St. Paul was as confident as of any truth whatever [Note: Php_1:6.]; nor is there any other truth more abundantly confirmed in Scripture [Note: Rom_11:29. Joh_10:28-29.]. God will indeed punish his people for their declensions [Note: Psa_89:30-32.]; but, instead of casting them off, he will reclaim them from their errors [Note: Psa_89:33-35.]: if it were not thus, not one only, but all of those, who had been given to Christ, might perish. God however will effectually prevent this [Note: Mat_18:14. Jer_32:38-41.]; and the weakest of his people may join in the Apostle’s triumph [Note: Rom_8:38-39.].]
This doctrine is far from being a matter of speculation only:
III. In their accomplishment God is glorified, and the ends of our ministry are answered—
The promises, as recorded in the Scriptures, are the foundation of our hopes: but it is by their accomplishment alone that the effects attributed to them are produced. In that,
1. God is glorified—
[Every perfection of the Deity is interested in the accomplishment of his word: the mercy and love of God have given us the promises: his truth and faithfulness are pledged to fulfil them: his almighty power is engaged to execute whatever his goodness has given us reason to expect. Were his promises to fail of accomplishment, these perfections would be all dishonoured; but when they are fulfilled, these perfections are all glorified. Justice itself is made to harmonize with truth and mercy [Note: Psa_85:10.], and matter is furnished for endless praise and adoration.]
2. The ends of our ministry are answered—
[The great ends of our ministry are to convert, edify, and comfort immortal souls. In pursuance of these, we set before men those promises which are most suited to their respective conditions; and assure them that their affiance in those promises shall bring them the blessings they desire. When therefore the contrite are brought to experience rest in Jesus, when the afflicted are comforted, the backsliding reclaimed, or the wavering established, then the great ends of our ministry are so far answered with respect to them. The truth of God in his promises is then made to appear; the benefits contained in them are enjoyed by our fellow-creatures; and our labours receive their richest recompence.]
Application—
[The Scripture speaks of some as “heirs of promise,” and others as “strangers from the covenant of promise.” Let us inquire to which of these characters we belong. Have we renounced every other hope, and rested simply on the promises made to us in Christ? And are we living in the earnest expectation of their full accomplishment? Have we so embraced them as to shew that we are seeking another country [Note: Heb_11:13-14.]? Let us not mistake our true and proper character. If we be strangers from the covenant of promise, we are without Christ, and without hope [Note: Eph_2:12.]. The threatenings, and not the promises, belong to us, and they will infallibly be executed upon us in due season. O that we might now flee for refuge to the hope set before us! But if we be “heirs of promise,” happy are we beyond all expression. Every promise of God, temporal, spiritual, or eternal, is made to us. Let every one then of this description be filled with consolation [Note: Heb_6:18.]: let them also be followers of those, who now inherit the promises [Note: Heb_6:12.]. May it never be said of them, that they glorify God by their faith, but dishonour him by their works! The promises are given, not merely to save, but to sanctify, the soul [Note: 2Pe_1:4.]. Treasure up then, brethren, those inestimable pledges of God’s love, and let them operate according to the direction given you [Note: 2Co_7:1.].]