The Promises of God by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 21, 1874

The Promises of God.

By H. A. St. John

“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.

In harmony with the sacred Scriptures throughout, this text declares that for everything we are dependent upon Christ. Every good and perfect gift comes from God through his Son Jesus. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ, and in him alone. Consequently, all the promises of God are conditional, and he that rejects Christ does virtually reject the promises of God. To the same intent is the language of Paul in Heb. 4:1: “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”

The conditionality of the promises of God is clearly stated in the above scriptures. Indeed, in connection with almost every promise in the Bible the condition is expressed, and where it is not expressed, it should be understood. In the last quoted text, we are exhorted to fear lest we come short of the promises. Now no such admonition would ever be given if God’s promises of eternal rest were not conditional, for God cannot lie, and if man’s action did not come in as a condition to their fulfillment, there

would be no coming short. It will be observed that the coming short is always upon the part of man.

As to man are given very many exceeding great and precious promises, all of which culminate in the rest that remains for the people of God, and, as the conditions of these promises render it possible that we may come short of them, and thereby fail of the eternal reward, how very important it is that we understand these promises, and particularly the conditions upon which they rest, and see to it that we are fully and heartily complying therewith.

Here is a gracious promise, and a condition very plainly stated: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6. The promise is, that we shall be filled with righteousness; the condition, that we hunger and thirst after it. While thus hungering and thirsting, we are pronounced blessed. The experience of the psalmist was like this; for he says, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” Ps. 42:1. Righteousness is right-doing. In a pre-eminent sense does obedience to the holy law of God constitute righteousness. Thus we read, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. All thy commandments are righteousness.” Ps. 119:142, 172.

No person can be said to hunger and thirst after righteousness who will turn away his ear from hearing the law; but, on the contrary, he will seek to be like Jesus, who kept his Father’s commandments, John 15:10; for he had his Father’s law written in his heart, Ps. 40:8; and also like Paul, who delighted in the law of God after the inward man. Rom. 7:22. The soul that hungers and thirsts after righteousness will be constantly getting broader and more exalted views of God’s law, Ps. 119:96, and will ever feel to pray, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Ps. 119:18.

But how significant the terms used here by our Saviour—hunger and thirst. There are but two ways in which they can be satisfied, by death, or with food and drink. But all those that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall not die, but they shall be filled. But what is it to be filled with righteousness? It is nothing less than Christian perfection. There is no room for a single evil thought, evil word, or evil deed. But who has attained unto this? Here is the mark for which every disciple of Christ should aim. Jesus is our pattern; he knew no sin. But it is obvious to the most casual observer in these days that there are multitudes of professors that do not thus hunger and thirst after righteousness. They appear perfectly content to live year after year without making any advancement in the divine life. And they will admit this fact without apparent concern. Are such persons Christians? Will they ever be filled with righteousness? Will they ever dwell in that land where none but the righteous shall dwell? Never, never; unless they are converted anew and, like a child in the school of Christ, begin again to build up a character that will please God.

Reader, I appeal to you. I pray you to give this matter serious thought. Are you advancing in the narrow way? Are you nearer God to-day than last month or last year? Does your heart pant after the living God? Do you constantly hunger and thirst after righteousness? If so, you shall be filled if you persevere unto the end. But if you have become indifferent, careless, self-satisfied, or lukewarm, oh! be entreated to arise at once. Make a new consecration of all to God. Read prayerfully all the precepts of God’s law, and lift your earnest cry to God that he write them upon your heart, that you may love the path of obedience, however much unlike the world it may make you. Set your affections on things above. Press toward the mark for the prize, regardless of what the world may say about you; and a crown of righteousness will be yours, in a little while from this, when the Life-giver comes.

H. A. St. John.