Living By Faith Blog

Icon

Biblical, battle-tested, real-life help for "living by faith in the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20). — Steve Fuller

A Friend Experiences The Power Of The Promises Of God

Big Engine from everystockphoto by sfoskettThe Promises Of God

Too many of us think we should read commands in God’s Word, and then use our will-power to push ourselves to obey.

But that’s like pushing your car to work.  You don’t need to push, because it’s got an engine.  You’re supposed to fire up the engine.  After all, driving is a lot easier than pushing.

Your Christian life also has an engine.  And the way we fire up that engine is by trusting the promises of God.  Trusting God’s promises is like turning the key in the ignition — VROOOM.

So when we read God’s Word, don’t stop with the commands.  Be sure to find the promises.  That’s where we get the power to obey.

What A Friend Experienced

Here’s a note my wife and I received this week from a dear friend.  She shares how she experienced God’s promises empowering her obedience.

What she wrote was so helpful that I asked if I could share it here.  She graciously said I could.  So here it is —

Her Note — 

Steve & Jan –

Just wanted to send a quick Thank You to reiterate your impact in my spiritual life.

Today I read 1 Peter 5:6 –

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…

As I read it, I first saw just the command –

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God

Then I thought, “Okay, if there’s a command, then there’s a promise.  So what’s the promise?”  And as I kept reading I immediately saw the promise —

… so that at the proper time he may exalt you…

And I smiled to myself as I thought of what a different (and freeing) approach this – to find the promises that motivate the commands.

The reason I say this is freeing, is because I noticed a change in my attitude toward the command after I found the promise.

I found myself wanting to obey, and recognizing that I can only obey with Jesus’ help.

I went from thinking and feeling, “Okay, here’s a command I’d better obey…I’ve gotta figure out how to be humble under God’s mighty hand” to thinking and feeling “Wow!  If I will humble myself before him, HE WILL EXALT ME!?!

Then I prayed (something like),”Lord, I don’t know why you work the way you do, but you say that by humbling myself, I will be exalted ‘at the proper time.’ PLEASE HELP ME…I know that I can’t even humble myself without your help. Thank You that Your commands always come with a promise.”

And I immediately thought of you two and your role in changing my understanding of God’s commands and promises.

I thank God for the part you two have played in the Lord’s transformation of my understanding of faith in Christ and a more appropriate and accurate motivation for obedience.

So I wanted to share with you my exciting realization that I really do get it and to encourage you that you are RIGHT ON with the idea of clinging to promises…they change EVERYthing!!! (for the better) …

Praying for you,

MJ

Stop Pushing The Car

Remember that Abraham obeyed “by faith” (Hebrews 11:8).  Which means he obeyed by trusting the promises God had given him to motivate his obedience.

So if you are struggling with an area of obedience, find what promises God gives to motivate you, and pray over those promises until you feel your heart starting to change.

I don’t want to make this sound easy.  It’s not.  Trusting the promises of God means battling the world, the flesh, and the devil.

But it’s easier than pushing the car.

Comments?  Feedback?

I’d love to hear them.  Leave a reply below — thanks.

If you know someone this would help, email it to them using the “share” button below.  Or use the other buttons to share it on your favorite social media.

If you would like to interact with others who are seeking to live by faith in Christ, visit our Forums page.

If you would like to receive a Saturday email summarizing the week’s posts — subscribe here.  (I will only use your email address for Living By Faith Blog communications, and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

And here are some related posts you might find helpful –

 

(Picture is from everystockphoto by sfoskett.)

Category: Motivation for Obedience

Tagged:

4 Responses

  1. Wendy Mendoza says:

    Hello Steve, your blog has been such an aid to my walk with Christ. It’s a resource that I often encourage others with. I’m so grateful for other gospel centered laborers here in San Jose. Let’s reach our city!

  2. Katherine says:

    This week’s exciting promise for me – James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

    Command: consider trials pure joy (like daughter’s thyroid cancer and hospital stays)
    Promise: we’re going to become more mature and perseverant, not lacking anything! That sure sounds good. Looking forward to it!

Leave a Reply

Join 3,436 people who receive Living by Faith updates —

More Help for Your Faith

  • RSS Feed
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

"I just found your blog recently, and I've NEVER found such clarity, understanding and comfort before." (Sarah)

"AWESOME. Going to mangle this sin tonight with the Promises of God." (Alec)

"If I could subscribe to only one blog, yours would be it." (Lyn)

"I think you are really on to something with this blog. I don’t know of anything else like it." (Doug)

"Excellent comment. Really well put and wisdom that is strangely lacking in much evangelical thinking." (John)

"Thank you -- I needed to hear this. So clear and concise yet captivating." (Stacey)

"Such a helpful post. I’ve bookmarked it and reread it two or three mornings just this week." (Doug)