Bible Promises and Their Conditions

So often, I hear people (myself included) talking about the promises of God in the Bible. It is a good thing to know those promises, but one thing that I don't hear people talk about very much is the conditions to those promises.

For example, an oft quoted promise is, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." That's great, however, many only stop there without sharing the condition ("Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."). If we do this, it may lead to a wrong view of the promises of God. Easy believism will be able to slip in.

In John 15:14, Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command you." Notice the condition, we're Christ's friend if we do what He commands us. Not just pray a prayer, but put into action what we say we believe.

So, when you think of the promises in the Bible or are telling someone about what God has promised, remember to share the "whole story" of the promises and their conditions.