SOME THINGS GOD NEVER PROMISED IN THE BIBLE
By: Randy Kea
1. God never promised that Jesus would set foot on this earth again. There are many who claim this. The Bible teaches that we shall meet the Lord in the air (I Thessalonians 4:13- 18) and that this world would be burned up (II Peter 3:9-11). Right before Jesus ascended back to his Father in heaven He said, “I am no more in the world.” (John 17:11).
2. God never promised to save everybody. The Bible teaches that provisions for salvation have been made for all (Hebrews 2:9; John 3:16; Titus 2:11). Furthermore, God desires all to be saved (II Peter 3:9, I Timothy 2:4; Revelation 22:17). However, specific conditions must be met (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:26-39; 16:30-34; 22:16; II Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 2:10).
3. God never promised to save people at the point of “faith only”. In the Bible “saving faith” is an “obedient faith” (Romans 1:5; Galatians 5:6) and in the book of Acts “saved believers” were always “baptized believers” (Acts 2:38, 44; 16:30-34; 22:16). Christ will only save those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9; II Thessalonians 1:6-9).
4. God never promised to save people outside the church that Jesus built. Many hold that the church has nothing to do with salvation. The Bible teaches that Jesus built one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-6) and that all of the saved are in the church (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). The denominational world separates “church membership” and “salvation”. In contrast, the Bible teaches that the same process which makes you a Christian and remits your sins also takes you into the church where salvation is located (Acts 2:38, 47; Galatians 3:26-27; II Timothy 2:10). Let us never assume what the Bible says – Let’s prove it! (I Thessalonians 5:21)
5. God never promised to save by means other than the Gospel of Christ. Apparently, some seem to think that they can “take it or leave it” when it comes to God’s saving message. The Bible teaches that God has a definite plan and that the Gospel is that one and only plan for man’s salvation (Romans 1:14-16; I Corinthians 15:1-2; I Peter 1:22-25; Galatians 1:6-9; Mark 16:15-16).
6. God never promised to save those who refuse to be baptized (immersed) in the name of Christ for the remission of sins. The religious world generally teaches that baptism has nothing to do with one’s salvation. The Bible teaches that baptism in essential (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21) and that baptism, when preceded by faith and repentance, puts one into Christ where salvation and all (not some) spiritual blessings are located (Acts 2:38; 18:8; II Timothy 2:10; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 1:3).
7. God never promised to give us all the things that we want. Many (even some flashy TV evangelists) seem to think that God is under some obligation to give us all things that we want. The Bible teaches that God knows our needs (Matthew 6:32) and that He will bless us according to our needs when we put Him and His kingdom first in our lives (Matthew 6:33).
8. God never promised to exempt us from trials and difficulties in this life. Many (some, so-called Christians) fuss, grumble, and complain because of life’s problems and burdens. The Bible teaches that the afflictions of this life, when compared to going and being with the Lord forever, are “light” and “but for a moment” (II Corinthians 4:16-18). Christians should learn to rejoice even in tribulation (Romans 5:1-4; Acts 5:41; James 1:1-2). Murmuring and complaining are condemned in the Bible (I Corinthians 10:10).
9. God never promised to answer (in this life at least) all of our questions and idle curiosities. The Bible was given so that we could have “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3). Everything we need to know to become a Christian, live and worship faithfully, and prepare for Judgment Day is in the Bible (II Timothy 3:16-17). Let us not base our hopes on things assumed, things God never promised.
10. God never promised that his people would not have enemies. Some people are enemies of righteousness (Acts 13:10). When one stands for God’s truth and righteousness, he will have enemies. Paul said, “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Timothy 3:12; see also John 16:1-2).
11. God never promised another chance to prepare for eternity after death. Jesus said, “I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.” (John 8:21-24) The writer of the Hebrew letter stated, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) Facing God in judgment, not further opportunities to prepare, is all a person has after he dies. Prepare today (II Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:12-13)!
12. God never promised to accept excuses (Luke 14:16-24). Because of all that heaven has done, we are without excuse (Romans 1:20; 5:6-10).
13. God never promised to keep people from believing a lie and thus be lost forever. God, in his word, has revealed the truth (John 8:31-32; 17:17). The truth is absolutely indispensable in order to be saved (I Timothy 2:4; I Peter 1:22). People who “believe a lie” will be “damned” (condemned) (II Thessalonians 2:10-12). “Buy the truth, and sell it not (Proverbs 23:23). Our souls are too valuable to base our destiny upon things GOD NEVER PROMISED. (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:26-27; Hebrews 5:9; II Thessalonians 1:6-9).