Introduction
Accepting Jesus Christ into one’s life culminates in inclusion into God’s family. Such individuals experience unconditional love, acceptance, redemption, and the forgiveness of sins. Jesus makes numerous promises to those willing to accept his teachings. The aforementioned promises are detailed in holy scripture, which is the foundation upon which Christianity is based.
Faith is essential in a Christian’s journey through the challenges presented by life. A person’s ability to believe in the promises of Christ will see them come to fruition. Amidst the chaos that characterizes modern society, Jesus offers promises that provide encouragement and support to navigate a variety of challenges. Christ promises his followers salvation, purpose, guidance, rest, and eternal life. Jesus’ promises are the bedrock upon which a Christian’s faith in God’s everlasting power, mercy, and strength is built.
Salvation
The first of Christ’s promises to those who follow the word is salvation. Salvation refers to the act of sparing an individual from the condemnation and eternal suffering resulting from sin. Christ’s promise of salvation means that upon the termination of life, those who believe in him will ascend to heaven and live with God for eternity. The gift of salvation is the direct result of Christ’s suffering and death on the cross and his eventual resurrection. Salvation essentially means that all who confess Jesus’ Lordship will be welcomed to the heavenly kingdom, regardless of the sins they have committed while on earth.
The relevance and importance of salvation are highlighted at various points in the Bible. In John 6:37, Jesus lets the people know that if they abandon sin and follow his ways, he will never abandon them (King James Version Bible, 2023). The same is reiterated in the book of Revelation, where in his address to the Laodicean church, Christ states that any individual who hears His voice and accepts the call will dine with Him (King James Version Bible, 2023).
It is evident from the highlighted bible passages that the Son of God promises salvation. It should be noted, however, that faith is a prerequisite for salvation. According to Matjaz (2019), salvation is attained by “believing and confessing Jesus’ lordship” (p. 449). A person must accept Jesus into their life to truly be saved. Jesus is considered the high priest bound in constant intercession for his people in the heavenly holy of holies to guarantee their complete salvation (Moffitt, 2020).
In addition, Christ will leave his place and return to the world to facilitate the redemption of the lost. According to Moffitt (2020), Christ’s second appearance will not involve the bearing of sins but rather the facilitation of salvation. Jesus’ departure from the heavens will serve as an indication that the work he was doing for his people is complete.
The offer for salvation is given to all people without exception. The assertion above is perhaps best illustrated by Christ’s crucifixion at Golgotha. All Gospel accounts detail how Jesus was executed with two other common criminals, one of whom begged for mercy and hoped that he would be saved and allowed into the kingdom of heaven. The man was promised eternal life after he repented of his sins and acknowledged Jesus’ lordship. The man died believing in Christ’s promise of salvation and eternal life in God’s eternal kingdom.
God’s Mission
Jesus promises to use his people for the expansion of the ministry. Believers often struggle to comprehend the exact means through which they are expected to serve as the Lord’s instruments. In the book of Matthew, Christ asks the congregation to follow him, and he will make them fishers of men (King James Version Bible, 2023, Matthew 4:19). It is worth noting that Jesus has an astute understanding of all his people’s strengths and weaknesses. He can work through his people for the fulfillment of the Gospel.
Christ transforms his people into disciples capable of changing lives in hitherto unseen ways. Jesus always made it clear that there was a cost to pay as one of his disciples. In Philippians 3:8, Paul states that he considers everything a loss because knowing Christ surpasses all things (King James Version Bible, 2023, Philippians 3:8). Paul further notes that his quest in the path of Jesus’ teachings resulted in the loss of all material possessions, seeing as they lost their value in his eyes.
An individual serves as an instrument of God when they serve as role models capable of influencing others to adopt the ways of Christ. There are multiple ways through which an individual can serve as God’s instrument. For instance, Jesus teaches his followers to emulate his ways in their daily lives. Christians must not simply read the Savior’s teachings but live by them.
It is vital to direct one’s body and mind to the fulfillment of God’s Gospel. Christ’s followers can also serve as instruments by sharing their experiences and knowledge with others. Generosity is a defining feature of Christian living because it facilitates the spread of Christ’s teachings. Finally, followers of Christ must never hesitate to offer help to individuals in need. One must dedicate oneself to serving the needy and the poor, thus allowing Christ to act through them.
The promise of serving as God’s vessel spurs humanity to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Walking the Savior’s path will transform people’s lives irreversibly. Romans 8:6 highlights how Christ’s followers experience transformations in their minds (King James Version Bible, 2023). Christ’s followers will shun the temptations of the body and embrace the peace provided by the Spirit.
Matthew 11:29-30 outlines the transformations of the heart, while Ephesians 4:22-24 explains how a believer’s lifestyle evolves after they accept Jesus (King James Version Bible, 2023). It is often challenging to accept that Jesus can work through an individual to fulfill the Gospel’s promises. Jesus promises his people that he will be in them and that he will serve as a guide as they impact the lives of those around them in remarkable ways.
A Guide Through Life
People are susceptible to distractions that derail them from the one true path. Modernization has enhanced the corruption of morals and the normalization of non-Christian virtues. Christians need guidance because life is challenging and filled with numerous pitfalls. The Gospel, according to Luke, details Jesus’ teaching on the parable of the builders (King James Version Bible, 2023, Luke 6:47). He emphasizes the fact that he will demonstrate the importance of listening to his words and putting them into practice.
The bible verses are proof of Christ’s promise to guide his followers to understand the truth. He promises to provide his people with the wisdom they require to not only understand his will but also make the right decisions. In John 10:2-3, the scripture states that sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice, and they go to him after he calls them by name and leads them (King James Version Bible, 2023, John 10:2-3). Jesus is a faithful shepherd who is willing to guide his followers through life’s difficulties.
Jesus offers his followers repentance as they navigate the complexities of living a righteous life. Christians often stumble and fall at various points in their lives. Each of his followers has access to the power of atonement, which extinguishes all doubt and facilitates the realization of God’s promises. Jesus guides his people through life by showing them the truth.
Jesus emphasized that God has a great plan for the happiness of his children. He also emphasized the fact that atonement was the only way all Christians could live forever with those they love and that all who believe will have perfect and immortal bodies in heaven. Christ also promises that all tears and suffering will be replaced with joy. The truths, as mentioned earlier, serve to strengthen people’s resolve as they seek to live meaningful lives.
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would guide all believers. In Romans 8:14, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the fact that the Holy Spirit leads and guides all of God’s children (King James Version Bible, 2023). Therefore, all who follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance will lead a life free of sin. It is worth noting that those who do not believe are denied the guidance provided by the Spirit. They are blinded by the truth and are exposed to suffering. Jesus’ promise of guidance removes their blindfolds and guides them through life.
Jesus Promises Rest
The path of Christianity is difficult and filled with challenges. Believers are often forced to reconcile their faith with the difficulties presented by contemporary living. The distinction between right and wrong is often blurred by modern conceptions of the meaning of life and the value of faith. Christians may struggle to maintain their virtues in a world that is adopting secular tendencies and practices at an alarming rate.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus urges all who are weary and tired to come to him, and he will give them rest (King James Version Bible, 2023). Individuals who believe in Jesus are freed from numerous earthly challenges. The reprieve that Christ promises his followers involves the experience of love and healing.
The Bible teaches that all who accept Jesus into their lives will experience spiritual rest. Christ promises his followers eternal reprieve from the guilt and condemnation associated with sinful acts. In addition, believers experience rest from earthly indulgence. The Israelites were delivered from bondage in Egypt, and they rested for the first time in generations.
Their suffering in Egypt can be likened to the indignity that people who have not accepted Jesus must endure in today’s world. Jesus promises those who follow him respite from futile suffering akin to the Israelites’ journey between their captors and the Promised Land. Rest is experienced in the form of an abundant spiritual existence, where worldly worries are cast aside.
The difficulties individuals encounter as they live difficult lives prompt them to seek the rest that Christ promises. Philippians 4:19 details how all needs will be provided to those who believe in Christ (King James Version Bible, 2023). Christians must believe that all their needs will be addressed.
It is worth noting that there is a distinction between wants and needs. The Holy Spirit offers Christ’s followers lasting peace. Christ’s peace is not simply the absence of conflict but the confident assurance that one will not experience fear regardless of the circumstances one faces.
Heavenly Eternity
Jesus promised to return to earth and take his people to heaven. In the book of John, Jesus states that if he goes to prepare a place for his people, he will return and take them to reside with him in heaven (King James Version Bible, 2023, John 14:3). Jesus is keen to reassure his followers that heaven is a real place where all who believe are welcome.
He notes that his father’s house has many rooms, each of which is being prepared for believers. Jesus is the only way to eternity, as described in John 14:6, which states that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (King James Version Bible, 2023). Access to heaven is predicated on an individual’s acceptance of Christ.
Contemporary culture is obsessed with longevity, as evidenced by efforts to extend physical life. While it is natural to desire many years of living, it is vital to remember that life does not cease with physical death. Eternity in heaven will only be achieved through the recognition of sin, hopelessness, and the acceptance of Jesus’ lordship. The refusal of salvation will result in eternal damnation and complete separation from Christ.
Mainstream Christian theological principles guide beliefs on eternal life. Theological doctrine posits that after death, believers exist in an intermediate state as they await Jesus’s return, which will be characterized by a physical re-awakening and recreation of a new physical realm. Upon death, a person’s soul is separated from their physical form to be reunited at the Second Coming. On that last day, believers will rise and live forever, just as Jesus does.
Therefore, God intends to remake the world rather than see its destruction. Eternal life, as explicated in the Gospel according to John, refers to the divine rather than the physical extension of one’s existence. The spiritual connection to Jesus is the promise that Christ made to his followers. He is preparing a place in his father’s house where all who believe will live for eternity, free of all suffering and pain.
Conclusion
Jesus made many promises to those who believed in God’s word. Christianity is based on the teachings of Christ as he carried out his ministry on earth. Since Christianity’s inception, individuals have experienced the fulfillment of Jesus’ promises. Through salvation, the lost have gained clarity and taken control of their troubled lives. Believers have been imbued with a sense of purpose as Jesus works through them to bring forth change and expand his ministry.
Christ’s teachings have offered believers guidance through the challenges of life, and those burdened by earthly concerns have achieved rest. Finally, believers in Christ await the attainment of eternal life, which is, without doubt, his greatest promise. Evidence from the scripture points to the fact that Christ is faithful and his promises are always fulfilled in various ways at different points in a believer’s life.
References
King James Version Bible. (2023). King James Bible: The Preserved and Living Word of God. Web.
Matjaz, C. (2019). Christ as the Goal of the Law (Rom 10,4): Christ is the converging point in the history of salvation. Theological Quarterly, 79(2), 441–456. Web.
Moffitt, D. M. (2020). Jesus as interceding high priest and sacrifice in Hebrews: A response to Nicholas Moore. Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 42(4), 542–552. Web.