Our world is in trouble and the bulk of that trouble stems from a lack of holiness. The words of Paul the Apostle, in his letter to the Church at Rome, ring true of America, perhaps more so than when Paul penned them, “There is no fear of God before their eyes (Romans 3:18). If we continue to read that letter we find that there is no one who seeks after God (Chapter 3 and Verses 10-17) but we do not need to recap the entire epistle.
God has raised up His Church as a bulwark against wickedness. There is a particular message that is needed from the Church more than ever before, a call to personal holiness. What I mean by that is a disciplined set apartness to the Lord God and working toward His glory among the people we encounter every day. There is frequently the question of what holiness looks like in practicality; I have found that the 7 Promises from Promise Keepers to be a good example.
PROMISE 1 HONOR GOD
A Promise Keeper is committed to honoring Jesus Christ through worship, prayer and obedience to God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He will make straight your paths.
Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,for our God is a consuming fire.
PROMISE 2 BROTHERHOOD
A Promise Keeper is committed to pursuing vital relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
PROMISE 3 INTEGRITY
A Promise Keeper is committed to practicing spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity.
Psalm 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
PROMISE 4 FAMILY
A Promise Keeper is committed to building strong marriages and families through love, protection and biblical values.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Psalm 127:3-5
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
PROMISE 5 SERVING
A Promise Keeper understands that Jesus calls him to be His hands and feet, serving others with integrity. He purposely lifts up the leadership of the church and his nation in prayer.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
PROMISE 6 UNITY
A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial, denominational, generational, and cultural barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
PROMISE 7 OBEDIENCE
A Promise Keeper is committed to influencing his world, being obedient to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Mark 16:15
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation…”
1 Peter 3:15
…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
We will examine these further in the future. For now, I encourage you to meditate on these promises
