Did you ever promise to do something, but when the time came you just didn’t bother? I hope you’re not saying to yourself, “Sure I do that all the time!”
Being faithful to keep promises was very important to Paul; and should be for every true Christian, as we will hear. But we will also hear that our eternal future depends on promises that most certainly will be kept!
Paul had spent a long time in Corinth. “Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.” (verse 18.) This Jewish custom was a sign that he would fulfil a vow that had been made to the Lord. (Numbers 6:13,18,21.)
Paul was taking God seriously; having made a promise to God, he wanted to be seen to be faithful to keep it!
People make promises with those they love or trust. And who deserves our love and trust more than God, our Creator and Saviour? You see, those who trust Jesus as their only Priest are not only forgiven, but are promised a place in Heaven with Jesus! (Acts 26:18.) Surely, they should be happy to make promises to their Great God and Saviour, and to keep them! (Romans 6:1-18. Titus 2:11-14.)
“Christ’s love compels us” who are saved by Jesus, to no longer just want to live for ourselves. I want to live for Him who died for me and is raised to life again; my Lord Jesus Christ. (2ndCorinthians 5:14-15. Galatians 2:20.)
Paul gladly used his life to serve Jesus. When he arrived in Ephesus, he shared the Good News with the people there. They asked him to stay longer, but he would not consent. He told them as he left, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” (verse 21.) Paul’s work for God at that time was to travel on to many more people with the Good News of the only Saviour. (Romans 1:16-17.)
So, Paul went on to revisit many places, strengthening all those who had come to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. (verse 23.)
Taking God seriously affected Paul’s whole life and living. Paul wanted to please God in everything he did. (Colossians 3:23-24.) Yet he did not seem to get much reward for all his faithful work for God! Paul could trust God, who had PROMISED ETERNAL REWARDS to those who faithfully serve Him here on earth. (2ndTimothy 4:6-8. Matthew 25:14-30.)
But we must point out that God also PROMISED ETERNAL PUNISHMENT would come to those who refuse the Saviour God has given! (Matthew 21:33-41. Luke 19:11-27.)
Are YOU taking God seriously? If you have trusted Him as your Saviour and Lord, then you should be willing to promise to love and serve Him “like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” (Ephesians 6:6-8) Then you will be able to look forward to the reward God has promised. God always keeps His promises!
Read Acts chapter 18, verses 18-23.
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