There is a popular distortion of God’s word making the rounds. The so-called “name it and claim it” school of theology, made popular by certain television personalities, is spreading the error.
The reasoning goes like this: “God has made promises in the Bible and all we have to do is claim them”. Sounds good to you? But that is not the whole story. God does make promises, that is absolutely clear. God keeps his promises, that is clear also. But, if you will read every promise of God in its biblical context, you will find it is based on a Godly premise.
A few examples will help: God says in Acts 16:31, “you will be saved”, the premise being “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Or, in Romans 10:9, there is the promise “you will be saved” based on the premise of your believing in the resurrected Jesus and surrendering to him as your Lord. Also, in Proverbs 3:5, God promises to “direct your path” if you will trust in the Lord with all your heart. One more: Psalms 37:4 promises that God will “give you the desires of your heart” if you “delight yourself in the Lord.”
The list is long. It is very exciting to read through the Bible and underline the promises of God. For me, it is just as exciting to read the premise on which it is given.
Humans seem to have a way of reading what they want to read and hearing only what is easy and pleasing to the ears. As has been said, “the grace of God is free, but it is not cheap”.
There is a price attached to every promise from God. A misguided or misinformed person could experience great disappointment if they knew only about the “promises” and not the “premises” as well. Trust God totally in order to claim his promises responsibly.
“God, Your promises are sweet and challenging and exciting and wonderful;
I can’t describe them completely. Free me up to meet you on the path of faith.
Amen”
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