God's Oath of Promise

God promises with an oath. His promises are based upon a covenant oath that cannot be broken. In ancient times, covenant vows were sealed in the death of a sacrificial animal. God's everlasting covenant is sealed in the blood of His Son (Hebrews 13:20). It's God's covenant word to every believer in Christ.

God promises forever. Our faith in God, the forgiveness of our sins, our eternal destiny, and God's work in our lives are all guaranteed through God's covenant word. "Forever O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89). God promised with a covenant oath forever.

God promises with a guarantee. His oath of covenant promises are for every believer in Christ. Jesus is our surety or guarantee to the covenant promises that cannot be broken (Hebrews 7:22). The Bible declares God's word forever is settled in heaven. That's God's covenant word to every believer. 

God promises every believer in Christ. We read the covenant promises in the Bible, which are forever the same. God has sworn with a covenant oath, and will not repent. He will not change His mind. "God, who cannot lie, promised before time began" (Titus 1:2). That's God's covenant promises for believers in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Death Is Defeated

Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Death is defeated, because of God's love, grace and power. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). Death is defeated through our risen Lord. 

Death had reigned over all people everywhere in every age. Death would not be denied. Death had its way with all mankind. Death had reigned supreme with the rich and poor, wise and foolish, without exception. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

The fear of death was a cruel taskmaster. The tormenting fear of death still holds multitudes in bondage. They would say, "Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for soon we will die." They surrender to death with no hope of victory, so get what you can out of this life until that day comes. The fear and dread of death enslaves their minds.

Death reigned until one Sunday morning centuries ago. That was the day death died. The earth quaked, rolling a stone away from the door of a tomb. Death was defeated. The tomb was empty. He lives! Jesus Christ our Lord is risen! Death is defeated!

All who believe in our risen Lord Jesus Christ are saved from sin and death. The promise of God states, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Believe and receive the Lord Jesus as your victory over death.

The Lord Opens Hearts

"The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul"  (Acts 16:14). These words speak of Lydia, a woman who worshiped God but had not yet heard the gospel to believe in Christ. The Lord opened her heart to hear and respond to the gospel. The word "heart" describes her mind, will, and emotions. It is a term for the person within.

God's preceding grace opens hearts to hear the gospel and receive Christ (John 1:12-13). It may be identified with the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11). It is the gospel call for us to trust the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13). The Spirit of God works in our hearts to enable us to believe the truth of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

The Lord opens hearts to hear and understand the gospel. He enables us to say yes to the call of Christ. God works concurrently with our choice. Jesus stands at the door of your life and knocks. You may open the door by believing the gospel to receive Christ (Revelation 3:20; John 1:12).

Because of our sinful nature, the Lord must act upon our hearts to enable us to respond to the gospel of Christ. This work of God's preceding grace enables us to respond freely to the gospel. In conversion, we respond to God's preceding grace through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

God Our Father's Love

Andrew Murray wrote, "God is love, and speaking with all reverence, he can't help loving. We see his goodness toward the ungodly and his compassion on the erring. His fatherly love is manifested toward all his children."

By faith in Jesus Christ, we are adopted into God our Father's family. When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16).

Some people are afraid to let go and really believe that God loves them unconditionally and forever. The heart of God our Father is full of love. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. But he who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18). Perfect love is God our Father's love for us.

Knowing God as our loving heavenly Father is the real key to a wonderful prayer life. Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father in heaven . . ." That's it. When we know that God really does love us and wants to help us, prayer becomes a daily relationship with God our Father. 

The Holy Spirit gives each believer the assurance of God our Father's love. We read in Romans 5:5 that "the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." For this reason Andrew Murray wrote, "His fatherly love is manifested toward all his children."

The Book of Revelation

Understand the book of Revelation. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" are the first words in the book of Revelation. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all" are the last words of the book. From the beginning to the end, it is about Jesus Christ. That's the reason it is not called the book of revelations. The Revelation is Jesus Christ.

There are more than four hundred references to the Old Testament in the book of Revelation. The most repeated image is that of the Lamb. That symbol reminds us of the Old Testament sacrificial system and points to the cross of Christ. The crucified One is alive for all to see. He is the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). 

The Revelation is Christ. It is not revelations. It is Revelation, singular. It is the Revelation of One, even our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, Christ is revealed in prophecy, promise, and typology. Those who understand the book of Revelation are focused upon Christ.

Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth. That's what the book of Revelation describes in apocalyptic language. It is a book about Christ revealed in power and great glory. It is a book about judgment. Everyone will give an account to God. Christ brings this world as we know it to its appropriate end. Understand the book of Revelation seeing Jesus Christ our Lord as the Revelation.

When God Called You

Salvation is when God called you out of darkness into the light. When you see the light, it comes quickly to dispel darkness. The change is sudden and abrupt. Darkness is defeated immediately in the presence of light. That's the way God's grace changes people who have lived in darkness. Salvation is from "Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). 

Darkness is used as a metaphorical expression for those who cannot see the truth in Christ our Lord. It is spiritual blindness. When the Holy Spirit calls us effectively to Christ, the eyes of our understanding are opened. We see the light of truth in Christ. Then we can testify, "I once was blind but now I see."

God called you to the light of our Lord Jesus Christ. He said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). When you see the light, you see the glory of God in Jesus Christ. He is the light of life. Salvation is from darkness into the light.

God called you to the light that always overcomes the darkness. It is not your achievement. Rather, the light comes to you from without, changing your heart within. Light is God's Spirit working in your dark heart. Then, your testimony is in these words, "I saw the light." Give all the glory to "Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 

One Way to Please God

The only way we can ever please God is by faith. If we have come to God by faith, He is working in us what is well-pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:20-21). "But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is" (Hebrews 11:6).

No wonder living by faith pleases God, because He is the one who works faith in our lives. It is by the grace of God that we are saved by faith. "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

Faith is an abiding gift from the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 13:13). "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Therefore, faith comes to you as the gift of God, by the Spirit of God, through the word of God.

Faith is focused upon Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and was raised from the dead. That is good news known as the gospel of Christ. God is well pleased with His Son (Matthew 3:17). We please God by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Faith is not just mental assent nor human effort. It is a result of the Holy Spirit bringing us to a point of confidence, assurance, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). We please God, when we live by faith in Christ.