According to some sources, there are 5,467 promises God has made. Others don't give a number as exact as this but just say that there are thousands of promises that God has made. The point here is that God has made a lot of promises. And, He goes even further. He states in Hebrews 10:23 that he is faithful to carry out what he has promised.
Now many would have you believe that these promises are free gifts from God. A look at John 8:36 (speaking of the Son making you free) might tempt one to think this. It's pretty common to hear someone say that salvation is a free gift from God. But a closer look might lead one to think otherwise.
For instance, take a look at John 3:16. This is the salvation verse of the Bible: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." The gift has a condition, it says whoever believes in him. Mistakes are made that have eternal consequences. Being saved is not free. There are conditions to be met. Believing is the first of them.
Jesus says in John 8:31, "...If you continue in my word, then you're my disciples." The gift is in the next verse but you have to continue in the word to receive it. Move down to verse 51 in the same chapter, "...If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." Something has to be accomplished first before the gift is obtained.
Some might suppose that these conditions don't seem fair. Satan probably feels this way. He most certainly doesn't want to or even plans to live up to any conditions no matter what the gift is. He's like the petulant child who wants it and wants it right now. No strings attached.
Our God gave everyone the ability to choose what he wants to believe. It's the right He, our God, gave to us. Study well the Bible. Weigh it for yourself. The promises given by the most powerful force in the universe; God, our Creator, are the greatest that can be given to anyone. Eternal life, joy, peace, blessings beyond measure, it's all there. Find it, study it, consider it. Meet his conditions. Matthew 11:29 and 30 assures us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and that you'll find rest.
"Ifs" in the Bible? It says that there are 1,595 ifs in 1,420 verses in the Bible. Yes, it's filled with conditions. But, oh, what a wonderful God we have. Read Psalm 124.
Now many would have you believe that these promises are free gifts from God. A look at John 8:36 (speaking of the Son making you free) might tempt one to think this. It's pretty common to hear someone say that salvation is a free gift from God. But a closer look might lead one to think otherwise.
For instance, take a look at John 3:16. This is the salvation verse of the Bible: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." The gift has a condition, it says whoever believes in him. Mistakes are made that have eternal consequences. Being saved is not free. There are conditions to be met. Believing is the first of them.
Jesus says in John 8:31, "...If you continue in my word, then you're my disciples." The gift is in the next verse but you have to continue in the word to receive it. Move down to verse 51 in the same chapter, "...If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." Something has to be accomplished first before the gift is obtained.
Some might suppose that these conditions don't seem fair. Satan probably feels this way. He most certainly doesn't want to or even plans to live up to any conditions no matter what the gift is. He's like the petulant child who wants it and wants it right now. No strings attached.
Our God gave everyone the ability to choose what he wants to believe. It's the right He, our God, gave to us. Study well the Bible. Weigh it for yourself. The promises given by the most powerful force in the universe; God, our Creator, are the greatest that can be given to anyone. Eternal life, joy, peace, blessings beyond measure, it's all there. Find it, study it, consider it. Meet his conditions. Matthew 11:29 and 30 assures us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and that you'll find rest.
"Ifs" in the Bible? It says that there are 1,595 ifs in 1,420 verses in the Bible. Yes, it's filled with conditions. But, oh, what a wonderful God we have. Read Psalm 124.
