For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Cor 1:20
A promise is a promise; most of us have heard this saying repeatedly while growing up. A promise is a guarantee that you are going to do what you said you would do. It’s an agreement that says, “I give you my word.” Simple enough one would think, but unfortunately, there is another phrase that sometimes follows if that word is not kept, “but you promised.” As disheartening as that is, it happens. I'm so glad that God is a keeper of His promises.
First, it’s important to understand the circumstances that caused Paul to write this second letter to the Corinthians. In summation, the churches had been persuaded by false teachers and encouraged to go against Paul and what he had taught them. These false teachers defamed his reputation and insulted his character by saying he was proud, dishonest and not qualified as an apostle of Jesus Christ (perhaps Paul's Damascus experience was not known to them, however, that was a qualifier in my book). Since that time, these difficulties had been dealt with and the majority of the people had a change of heart. Paul received the good report and was grateful. He sends this letter expressing his thankfulness; he defends his character, as well as appeal to those that are still rebelling against him and his authority in Christ, he also defends his ministry and assures them of his calling as an apostle.
Paul reminds them of the true gospel that they had been taught; telling them that we came to you in holiness and in all sincerity, in all honesty; not in our own wisdom but in the wisdom of God and our words were not inconsistent with our actions. We were faithful and only preached Jesus and the promises of God, which are in Him; and that those promises are yes to you that are in Him. He tells them that he came to confirm the promises that you might glorify God for His mercy, His peace, His joy and for the hope that was made possible through Christ; that you would not only believe the promises but that Jesus is the assurance of God’s promises; established in Him and sealed by Him; none of those promises shall fail because all the promises are “yes” in Christ. Unlike man, who makes promises and then chooses not keep them; God is not a man that He should lie. He won’t change his mind because He gave His Word and His Word, keeps His Word. He is faithful to all His promises and He is faithful to us. Paul's words also apply to us as well and serve as a reminder.
The verse simply says, for no matter how many promises God has made, they are “yes” in Christ and so through him the “amen” is spoken by us for the glory of God. Here’s a little nugget: Jesus is the Amen, because He is the faithful and true witness (Rev 3:14) of God and when we say amen we declare that we agree, we support and we confirm that it is so! I like the way the sounds.
Take some time to search the Word for His promises, it will strengthen your faith and encourage your heart; it will confirm God's love. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:4 that He has given us His very great and precious promises.
There is no doubt that we can count on the promises of God. God says, “I promise” ... Jesus confirms and says, it’s a guaranteed yes! Amen.
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
A promise is a promise; most of us have heard this saying repeatedly while growing up. A promise is a guarantee that you are going to do what you said you would do. It’s an agreement that says, “I give you my word.” Simple enough one would think, but unfortunately, there is another phrase that sometimes follows if that word is not kept, “but you promised.” As disheartening as that is, it happens. I'm so glad that God is a keeper of His promises.
First, it’s important to understand the circumstances that caused Paul to write this second letter to the Corinthians. In summation, the churches had been persuaded by false teachers and encouraged to go against Paul and what he had taught them. These false teachers defamed his reputation and insulted his character by saying he was proud, dishonest and not qualified as an apostle of Jesus Christ (perhaps Paul's Damascus experience was not known to them, however, that was a qualifier in my book). Since that time, these difficulties had been dealt with and the majority of the people had a change of heart. Paul received the good report and was grateful. He sends this letter expressing his thankfulness; he defends his character, as well as appeal to those that are still rebelling against him and his authority in Christ, he also defends his ministry and assures them of his calling as an apostle.
Paul reminds them of the true gospel that they had been taught; telling them that we came to you in holiness and in all sincerity, in all honesty; not in our own wisdom but in the wisdom of God and our words were not inconsistent with our actions. We were faithful and only preached Jesus and the promises of God, which are in Him; and that those promises are yes to you that are in Him. He tells them that he came to confirm the promises that you might glorify God for His mercy, His peace, His joy and for the hope that was made possible through Christ; that you would not only believe the promises but that Jesus is the assurance of God’s promises; established in Him and sealed by Him; none of those promises shall fail because all the promises are “yes” in Christ. Unlike man, who makes promises and then chooses not keep them; God is not a man that He should lie. He won’t change his mind because He gave His Word and His Word, keeps His Word. He is faithful to all His promises and He is faithful to us. Paul's words also apply to us as well and serve as a reminder.
The verse simply says, for no matter how many promises God has made, they are “yes” in Christ and so through him the “amen” is spoken by us for the glory of God. Here’s a little nugget: Jesus is the Amen, because He is the faithful and true witness (Rev 3:14) of God and when we say amen we declare that we agree, we support and we confirm that it is so! I like the way the sounds.
Take some time to search the Word for His promises, it will strengthen your faith and encourage your heart; it will confirm God's love. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:4 that He has given us His very great and precious promises.
There is no doubt that we can count on the promises of God. God says, “I promise” ... Jesus confirms and says, it’s a guaranteed yes! Amen.
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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