Today's Word of Encouragement (8/11/2020)

Today, we are going to start talking about different kinds of divine promises. As we will see, it is crucial to know that there are different kinds of divine promises if we want to apply them properly to our lives. “Leigh suggests that the divine promises are legal or evangelical, general or particular, principal or less principal, direct or by consequence, absolute or conditional, and pertain either to this life or the life to come” (p. 4). Let’s find out what each of these means.

“Legal promises are conditioned on perfect righteousness” (p. 4). This is what we call “the covenant of works” (which was given to Adam and Eve as “the covenant of life” in the Garden of Eden). This is something we as fallen sinners cannot attain. But this is what Christ earned for us by His perfect righteousness and given to us in the form of evangelical promises.

“Evangelical promises are conditional on believing and repenting (John 3:36 [Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…]; 2 Cor. 7:10 [For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death]).” Our faith and repentance are necessary to receive these promises. But they are necessary as the instrument through which we receive what God promised, not as the reason for which we receive them. The reason God gives eternal life to those who believe is the merit of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice and righteousness.

“These two kinds of promises—legal and evangelical—are the root of all others. They not only show the importance of faith but make plain that the faith of those who inherit the promises of God must be in Christ, who alone has satisfied the righteous requirements of God’s law” (p. 5).

This is truly amazing, isn’t it? Evangelical promises are guaranteed to believers not only on account of God’s almighty power and unfailing faithfulness but also Christ’s perfect obedience. And because Christ’s perfect obedience is the reason for them, we are entitled to them, legally! We dare not approach these evangelical promises with a sense of entitlement as if we deserved them; they are ours only on account of Christ’s perfect obedience. But because of Christ, God will not refuse to fulfill His promises to those who believe in Jesus’ name. In fact, God cannot because He is legally bound by His covenant with His Son (i.e., the covenant of redemption)! How overwhelming and humbling this gracious arrangement is! Let us praise God for His grace and cling to Christ by faith! Let us not allow our deeply rooted legalistic thinking--that we have to somehow earn God's favour--hold us back from enjoying what God is willing to give freely and generously to all those who believe in Christ. God will grant us eternal life and all the attending blessings for the sake of His obedient Son!

Have a blessed day!

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