God's Promises - 10/25/19pm

God Does Not Promise Good Health
Some believe that God promises good health and long life to those who follow Him. While faithfully serving God does remove many things that cause life to be shortened, there is no promise that those who are faithful will enjoy good health all their life.
I Timothy 5:23 -Timothy’s frequent illnesses
I Corinthians 12:7-12 -Paul’s thorn in the flesh
Galatians 4:12-14 -Paul’s sickness when preaching to the Galatians
James 5:13-18 -Prayer for the sick

God Does Not Promise Wealth
Some believe that God promises great wealth to those who follow Him. Some even put a specific amount on it (7, 10, 100, etc. times what is contributed). God makes no such promise to Christians. Much to the contrary, what we are shown is poverty.
II Corinthians 8:1-5 -The great poverty of the Macedonians
Romans 15:26-27 -The poor among the saints of Jerusalem
Matthew 19:23-26 -A camel through the eye of a needle
Matthew 6:19-34 -Needs (not wants) will be met

God Does Promise Persecution
God does not promise an easy life if you choose to follow Him. Quite the contrary, He promises persecution. You can expect to suffer various forms of persecution as a Christian.
Revelation 2:8-11 -The poverty and persecution of the church in Smyrna
II Timothy 3:1-13 -All who want to live a godly life will be persecuted
II Corinthians 4:7-11 -Persecuted and being delivered over to death
II Thessalonians 1:1-5 -Their persecution was as sign of their worthiness

God Does Promise Eternal Life
God does promise eternal life to those who follow Him. This is surely a greater promise than any promise of temporary health, wealth that is easily consumed or lost, or status among the world.
James 1:12 -Endure, for the Lord has promised a crown
Titus 1:1-4 -God, who cannot lie, has promised eternal life
II Peter 1:1-11 -Great and precious promises if we add these qualities
Revelation 21:1-8 -The one who overcomes shall inherit