Devotions this week based on the Message: “God’s Part…Our Part?”
“Lifetime guarantee!”
Marketers put these two words on their product. It catches your attention. You choose the product with the guarantee (vs. another one without a guarantee) and think, “Great, I’ll buy it once and I’ll never have to but it again.”
Until you read the fine print.
“Guarantee only applies to original owner. Does not transfer.” (So it only covers the “life time” of you or the time you own it.)
“Guarantee does not apply if product damaged or broken by usage outside the normal use intended.”
“Guarantee does not apply if casing is opened up.”
“Guarantee does not cover shipping and labor needed to repair the product.”
So is it really a “Lifetime Guarantee”? Sometimes I wonder.
With the guarantees God makes, there are no caveats. He promises. He’s always faithful to his promise.
The Word is so trustworthy and powerful and timeless that there is no need for anything else.
The Word has the power to guarantee eternal life.
Nothing else can. Our effort? Never enough. Another religion? Leaves questions and uncertainty.
Only the message of grace through faith in Jesus communicated through the Word can guarantee eternal life for us and all in whom God works faith to believe.
On one occasion, Jesus’ teaching rubbed people the wrong way and many left him. He asked his disciples if they wanted to leave too. Peter responded: (John 6:68)
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
The Apostle Paul affirmed his friend Timothy: (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Why look any farther? The Word of God has power to guarantee eternal life. Why?
- God “owns” heaven. So he is the one that can promise it and is the one who guarantees it.
- It’s backed by the perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus.
A manufacturer will modify a guarantee so it sounds good, but might be very hollow. God would never do that. When he guarantees something, when he promises something, it WILL take place.
I guarantee it.
Apply: Look at the next product you see that has a “Lifetime Guarantee.” Then read the fine print…what are the caveats that would limit or negate that guarantee? How is God’s guarantee to you much more certain?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your truth and faithfulness. When you promise, I fully believe you will follow through. Thank you for the “eternal life guarantee” you have given to me in your Word! AMEN.