Title: Three promises for a successful life
2 Corinthians (24) 3 promises for a successful life (2 Corinthians 7:1)
1. A promise to oneself
When you start something for the first time, you always make a commitment. “I have to do better this time. This time, we must do God’s will.” But after a while they forget that promise. Then you will never be successful. There is a secret to living unwaveringly even in a rapidly changing era. It is to depend on the unchanging God and live by keeping the promises made to ourselves. If you keep your promise to yourself, you won't get lost under any circumstances.
The most precious promise among the promises to yourself is the promise to take up the cross. Without the devotion of the cross, you cannot live a worthy life. Do not avoid the cross even when you sometimes encounter difficult moments. It may not make sense to take up the cross when life is hard. However, even then, you must take up the cross to live yourself and the whole community. Many people think that if they take up the cross in difficult times, they will die, but that is not the case. Rather, laying down one's cross is the way to die.
Matthew 16:25 says this. “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” In difficult and difficult times, we will live if we take up our cross and break through with faith. If you avoid the cross in difficult times, you will face more difficulties, but if you take up the cross, you will surely find a way to live. Bearing the cross brings about mystical joy and reward, and such a person always becomes a central figure wherever he goes. In the end, if you take up the cross, you will lose money, but in fact, that is the secret to success.
2. Commitment to others
Promises are not cumbersome. After all, it's for yourself. Human society is a promised community. Promises seem to bind themselves. However, knowing how to keep promises will give you greater freedom, peace, and space.
A psychologist had children play on both a fenced playground and an unfenced playground. However, I found that in an unfenced playground, you only play in the middle of the playground, whereas in a fenced-in playground, you use up the entire playground. With such a fence, the range of action expands and you can enjoy more freedom.
The promises of human society are like a fence. Keeping that promise will give you greater freedom and joy. It is rather easy to live with your neighbours and help them by following your emotions. But more importantly, keep your promises to your neighbors. Therefore, create a trustworthy human figure who can keep even the smallest promises. Of course, you can't keep all your promises, but try to keep them. Only then will grace and blessings be added to that life and family.
3. A promise to God
The saints are the promised children of God. But it must not end there. We too must do our best to keep our promises to God. In fact, faith is a promise to have God as the master of my heart. Even if the world turns upside down, don't give up on your promise to God. Then it will surely add grace and blessing to that life and family.
When the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was first built, it was a huge challenge. The height of the bridge from the water surface to the top of the bridge is 70 meters and the depth from the water surface to the bottom of the water is 70 meters. 23 people fell and died in a year while constructing the huge 140-meter pier. So, as an emergency measure, we installed a safety net under the construction site. It is said that the construction workers' minds were stabilized and their work efficiency improved significantly. Belief in the safety net has significantly improved our ability to overcome reality. God's promise is an eternal safety net. God promised Canaan. If you believe and keep moving forward, you will surely occupy the promised land.
When you are in trouble, ask yourself, “How can you do that? People who don’t believe are like that.” How will God give the blessing of Canaan if he always visits Egypt? When you are in trouble, say, “Lord! Still, I believe in the promises of the Lord!” When he goes out, God sees his faith with joy and opens the door of blessing to him. Even though many promises are given, only those who believe in them will be fulfilled.