From my experience, promises come with different levels of fulfillment. A casual promise is an expression of the intent to do something, but may or may not come with the actual implementation of the promise. Then there is the contractual promise that guarantees implementation of action or legal consequences ensue. We also have promises based upon the integrity of the promiser. We trust this person to follow through on what they said they would do. Our trust is based upon knowledge of the promiser’s integrity and is probably based upon prior experience with the guarantor.
Romans 4:16 says, “That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring, not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” Faith means trusting in another, not in one’s own efforts. Faith therefore corresponds exactly to grace, which involves trusting God’s gift of unmerited favor. We can trust God to fulfill His promises because He is always faithful to His Word and to His promises, and because He cannot lie. Since it is fully within His ability to deliver on His promises and He is full of grace when delivering on His promises, we know that He will do what He says He will do. Therefore, we can have faith in Him and His promises.
Reluctant Retiree 