As Advertised! (part 3 of 3)

As we have noted the last two days, three of the most common and attention getting words in advertising are "New", "Free", and "Guaranteed". Today let us consider the enticement of guarantees.

I remember ordering something several years ago that was offered with a "Delivered By Christmas" guarantee. It finally arrived in April of the next year. We had ordered plenty early, but the company had not anticipated the number of orders they received and in effect had nothing to say to back up their guarantee. As far as we were concerned, their guarantee meant nothing!

Guarantees come in various forms. There are "money back" guarantees, "complete satisfaction" guarantees or your money back with no questions asked, "results in ten days" guarantees, "same day delivery" guarantees, etc. But as my experience shared above, are all guarantees really what they are presented to be? I'm not trying to turn you into a pessimist regarding guarantees, but I have generally found that if there is too much small print on something, I ought to give it further consideration before jumping at the offer.

A part of God's good news for us is that His offer comes with a GUARANTEE! Note some of the ways the word "GUARANTEE" is associated with the Gospel message.

In his Ephesian letter Paul noted. . .
"(13) In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, (14) who is the GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." ( Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)

The Hebrew writer also noted. . .
"(20) And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, (21) but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.' " (22) This makes JESUS THE GUARANTOR OF A BETTER COVENANT." ( Hebrews 7:20-22 ESV)

God's guarantees do not come with any small print. What He has promised is clear and sure! And we will be completely satisfied -- GUARANTEED!

Have a great day ACCEPTING LIFE AND ETERNITY BACKED BY GOD'S GUARANTEE!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent for 11/21/1998 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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