February /99
Every once and a while I have an opportunity to have my memory jarred: "But dad you promised!" Having six children, I have been conditioned over time to avoid making promises; and yes, there have been times when I had to break my promise. Promises are so important to our children and we must not make them or take them lightly. For the pattern that we establish with others concerning promises might effect the manner in which they view the promises of their heavenly Father. For even though we do intend to keep our promises to our children, we sometimes fail. However they need to know that God is able to do all that He promised in the New Testament:
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (Ro.4:20-21)
Yes, at times we might break a promise, but God's promises are always true for his children. We need to demonstrate a saving relationship with God, as all the promises are for those who are in Christ:
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2Co.1:20)
Christians not should view their lives in the context of Old Testament experience but need to be taught that Christ not only ushered in a new covenant which is superior to the old, but has given us better promises:
But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. (He.8:6 note He.11:39)
God has promised us something that the people of Israel could not share- the Holy Spirit. We no longer have a sinfully wicked heart since Christ purified our hearts Ac.15:9; 2Ti.2:22, Now the Holy Spirit lives in every Christian:
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Ga.3:14)
The Holy Spirit is just one of the many better promises- that have been given through Christ. For we read:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2Pe.1:3-4)
Our children need to know the better promises of the new covenant so that they can claim them for themselves. What good are the promises if they are not claimed? For they might be working at something which is already theirs by promise:
We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (1Jn.5:18)
People need to know that they do not have to change their lives from sin to prove they are a Christian, but it is because Christ lives in them that their lives will be changed proving they are partakers of eternal life. Therefore our children need to know that the Christian walk is not something we need obtain, it is something we are, for God promised it.
Since
we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2Co.7:1)