Path to a better future – Part 1

Every Christian, everyone whose sins have been cleansed and who now believes fervently in the Lord Jesus Christ, has automatically embarked on a journey that is expected to take the person to a desired future.

Recognising that he or she is a pilgrim here on earth, the person knows that he or she has no permanent inheritance here on earth. Such an individual commits steadfastly to continuing the journey to a better future.

While on this journey, we are required to abstain from fleshly lust that war against the soul and can abort the dreams of a better future that God has promised us. His promise is, “…I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”

Being faithful, God will fulfil His promise to the letter for those who meet the conditions. Obviously, He does not gamble with His promises and provisions as to waste them on non-pilgrims. God’s promises, provisions and presence make pilgrimage to a better future desirable and realisable.

God has given the promise of a better future to every believer. He says, “For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown… and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.” God did not only make a promise of a better future, but also shows how everyone can have this promise fulfilled in his or her life. Anyone who will submit to the cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ from all defilements; anyone who will allow the Lord to take away his or her stony heart and implant the heart of flesh He gives; anyone in whom the Lord will put His Spirit and anyone who will obey the Lord continually will have the fulfilment of God’s promise of a better future.

Repentance, restitution, righteous living and relentless obedience to God’s word are the conditions God requires to grant a better life and a bright future. This promise is not for those who attend church and still harbour, maintain, worship their idols in their hearts. Believers must not embrace such hypocritical lifestyle, but maintain a clean separation from the world.

The promise of a better future is hinged on believers’ unquestioning obedience to the Lord. No one can obtain that promise by casting off righteousness and holiness without which no man can see the Lord. It amounts to self-delusion to continue to yield to temptation, to enjoy the pleasures of sin and indulgent lifestyle in the world, and still expect the fulfilment of the promise of a better future. Thus, believers who triumph over temptations are those who will have the realisation of a better future.

God desired to give Israel a better heritage but they disobeyed Him. In view of their great loss, He lamented: “Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.” More than the water they drank from the rock, God wanted to give them honey out of the rock; but they missed it. This is always the lot of the disobedient. But people who seek to honour God in everything and everywhere will obtain this promise of a better future.

Further Reading (King James Version): 1 Peter 2:11; Ezekiel 36:11; Ezekiel 36:9-11,25-27; Exodus 23:22-25; Psalm 81:13,14,16; Isaiah 56:4,5. Proverbs 4:18; Psalms 16:11; 23:3-5; 119:35,37; Proverbs 1:10-16,23,33; Jeremiah 6:16; Hebrews 12:13,14. 1 Kings 19:7,8; Psalm 78:25; Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 1:6-8; 2:3; Numbers 10:29.