Press Beyond Broken Promises
Find Unshakeable Security in the Promises of God
2 Corinthians 1:20
Trust Betrayed
I read the email in disbelief. A prominent religious leader I admired, supported financially, and received teaching from had a secret life alongside his ministry. A life that violated his professed beliefs. I felt disoriented by the shift in what I believed about him. I felt heartsick for his family and the reputation of the church. I worried for those who would feel betrayed on the deepest level—where spiritual trust makes us the most vulnerable. I grieved at another broken promise of one who claimed the promises of God.
Culture and community build upon promises. Citizens pledge allegiance to their country, witnesses swear to tell the truth, medical caregivers make an oath to help, the President commits to uphold the Constitution, and spouses vow fidelity. Promises affect lives in vital places. Broken promises can devastate.
“How can we find security when trust feels like a game of roulette?”
Along with our expectations for honoring promises, we must acknowledge the inevitability of disappointments. Most of us have experienced those violations. Sometimes we’ve been the promise-breaker. So then, how do we navigate the damage in a broken world inhabited by a broken humanity that breaks promises? How can we find security when trust feels like a game of roulette?
Trustworthiness Challenged
The Apostle Paul faced this problem. When competing leadership in the Corinthian church results in unfair accusations against him, it threatens to damage the integrity of his teaching. His detractors spread the idea that if they can’t trust him to keep his word, how can they trust what he teaches them? Although based on a misunderstanding, they have a valid question, and an explosive one.
“If those in the church fail their obligations, do secure promises exist anywhere?”
Today’s culture reels back with indignation over the scandals of religious leaders. Confidence in the institutional church has plummeted over the last decades, and not without reason. The failed morals of spiritual leaders devastate trust and explode congregations. The shrapnel of betrayal and disillusionment pierce deep, with emotional wounds that leave scars and make faith vulnerable to deconstruction. The complaints against Paul apply to the needs of today. If those in the church fail their obligations, do secure promises exist anywhere?
In Paul’s situation, the Corinthian church fails to understand Paul’s actions by doubting his motives. Paul answers their charges and explains his decision. Instead of lack of care for them, he chose actions based on his dedication to their best welfare:
“I call on God as a witness, on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth.” (2 Cor. 1:23).
Paul’s Lesson on God’s Promises
True to his character, Paul turns the offense against him into a lesson to strengthen the congregation he nurtured. Although disparaged by them, he continues to demonstrate his devotion. He guides them to solid ground worthy of their trust and expectation. Paul prepares them for times when leaders may fail their charge and dishonor promises. He contrasts human reliability with the trustworthiness of God:
“For every one of God’s promises is ‘Yes’ in him. Therefore, through him we also say ‘Amen’ to the glory of God.” (2 Cor. 1:20)
Pressing beyond the imperfection of the church, Paul packs a single sentence full of encouragement. He points to where perfect promise-keeping exists. Breaking it down, we find (1) assurance in the meaning of “promise,” (2) the affirmation of “yes,” (3) the reliable agency “through him,” and (4) the adoration of “Amen.” Though individual people making up the church will disappoint and abuse in their flawed humanness, God transcends the failures of human morality. His promises anchor in a firm foundation.
The Foundation Under Focus
Looking closely at each of these affirmations reveals the magnitude of support in this verse:
Assurance of the Promise: “For every one of God’s promises…”
First, ALL of God’s promises contain the surety of God’s authority. The Greek word for promise “epangelia” comes from a combination of roots meaning: “upon proclamation.” In other words, the Sovereign has spoken! Primarily a legal term, this word in Scripture applies uniquely to the promises of God. God’s promises rest supremely—over all—on his transcendent power and superiority.
Affirmation of the Promise: “…is ‘Yes’ in him.”
Second, the grammatical climax of “Yes” affirms and punctuates the answer to the inherent question of trust: “Will the promise be kept?” The emphatic “Yes” defines the essence of God’s promises. In other words, God’s promises are “Yes” because God Himself is pure, true, and sure.
Agency for the Promise: “Therefore, through him…”
Third, the performance of the promise occurs through God’s power in Christ, who fulfills them. The very nature and character of God guarantee the promise because his unstoppable agency accomplishes them through Christ. His supreme power overcomes any challenge.
Adoration in Response to the Promise: “…we also say, ‘Amen’ to the glory of God.”
Fourth, the declaration of “Amen” completes our trust with a response of worship. As God says “Yes,” we respond “Amen,” to affirm our faith in the promise and express our adoration to the trustworthy God who makes it so. “Amen” originates from the root meaning to “confirm” or “support.” Originating in Hebrew, it remains the same (transliterated) in Greek, Latin, English, and many other languages. When God speaks “Amen,” it means: “It is, and shall be so.” When echoed by men and women in response, it means: “So let it be.”
The early church had its share of failed leaders, false teaching, masquerading wolves, and competitive infighting. Paul prepared the first followers to place their trust cautiously in human beings, but whole-heartedly in the Person of God.
Unshakeable Assurance
In the relationships of this world, imperfections, selfishness, and immaturity create broken promises and betrayal among us—most tragically by those who know the better Way. But the One who embodies unbreakable truth and trust, proved Himself worthy. He never wavered in bearing the full responsibility of the trust placed in Him, persevering until the end through innocent suffering and death.
Broken promises hurt us. They cost us. But when the greatest and most important promises we rely upon prove immovable, and when the value of those promises far exceed any other promises in this world, we stay standing. We press through disillusionment in the imperfect toward the One who stays true. We heal and help others to heal. We grow stronger in the promises of faith based on the Trustworthy One who promised. In time, through him, we become unshakeable. Amen and amen, so let it be.
What promise of God overcomes a broken trust in your life?
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