Cultivating Survival Attitudes in Difficult Times - Part III
Meeting the Condition of God's Promise
by Dr. John Tetsola

Last month we learned that the assignment of patience is to bring us to maturity in the things of God so that we lack in nothing (Jas. 1:3-4). If we are lacking and falling short of obtaining a promise, the problem is never with God. While the promise of God remains within our grasp, we have the obligation of cultivating the necessary attitude of not letting it slip (Heb. 4:1). We will have to contend for the fulfillment of God’s promise in our lives. But apart from this process, ask yourself this question, “Am I waiting for the fulfillment of a promise that I have not met the conditions of?”

THEREFORE, WHILE the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it.
Hebrews 4:1 AMP

There were two believing farmers. Both experienced a severe drought in their region. Crops were failing and there were no clouds in the sky. Both farmers prayed to the Lord, but only the farmer who met God’s condition and prepared his field in faith received the downpour. Now, consider the promises of God you have been believing for and ask yourself this question, “Have I fulfilled all the conditions of God’s promise in my life?” This question is generally difficult for believers who have been in the kingdom for many years to answer, and even more so for those who function in positions of leadership within the body of Christ. This is because many long-time Christians are convinced that their “work for God” and their daily devotions alone are sufficient qualifications for the fulfillment of all of God’s promises to them. Not necessarily.

FULFILLING THE CONDITIONS OF GOD’S PROMISE

I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance…But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God's will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.
Revelation 2:2a, 4-5 AMP

The church of Ephesus was a hard-working church. But instead of receiving the promise of God that they so laboriously toiled for, God was getting ready to remove their lampstand (Rev. 2:5). God has the same problem with many in His Body today. We get so busy working for God, that we neglect our ministry to God. Many promises get held up this way and will never be fulfilled unless we meet all the conditions of God’s promise. God wants to be first in our lives. He requires ongoing, personal, right up in the face intimacy with Him at all times, not a mere exercise of religious piety when we want something from Him. When you work for God remember this: God is far more concerned about your reason for doing a thing than the thing you’re doing. So before you begin to gripe and distrust God about your promises not being fulfilled, change your inner man to meet God’s standards by going back to the basics. We can confess, repent and be restored in a heartbeat. Revelation 2:5 provides a three-fold guide to meeting all the conditions of God’s promise in our lives, and that is: (1) remember (2) repent and (3) do our first works over. Follow this plan and receive the manifestation of God’s promise every time.