When you decide to follow Jesus, it’s natural to have expectations about what life will look like. But sometimes those expectations don’t match what the Bible actually says. The truth is, there are some things Jesus never promised—and if we hold him to those false promises, we may feel confused or disappointed when life doesn’t go the way we hoped.
But here’s the good news: what Jesus does promise is even better. His promises aren’t quick fixes or shortcuts—they’re deep, unshakable truths that can carry you through any season.
3 Things Jesus Doesn’t Promise You
1. You’ll Have All the Answers
Faith doesn’t mean you’ll have every question solved or every doubt erased. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Following Jesus is about trusting him even when you don’t see the full picture. You don’t need to know it all before you believe. He invites you to come as you are, questions and all.
2. Your Life Will Be Easy
Jesus was honest with his followers: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Trusting Jesus doesn’t remove every challenge, heartache, or hard day. But it does mean you never face those moments alone.
Jesus continues in this verse, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He promises to give you strength, peace, and comfort no matter what you’re walking through.
3. You Will Be Perfect
Following Jesus doesn’t make you instantly flawless. We will still make mistakes, fall short, and wrestle with sin. The difference is, we now live under grace.
But forgiveness, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, frees us from the need to be perfect. 1 John 1:9 tells us that “if we confess our sins to [God], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
We can never be perfect, but with God’s forgiveness, we can be made new!
3 Things Jesus Does Promise You
Now that we’ve dispelled some of the myths about trusting Jesus, let’s take a closer look at what he does promise us when we follow him:
1. You Will Be Forgiven
No matter what your past looks like, Jesus offers complete forgiveness. "[God] is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins” (Ephesians 1:7).
When you trust in Jesus, your mistakes no longer define you—his grace does.
2. You Will Have Hope in Hard Times
Jesus offers hope that doesn’t fade when life gets hard. He gives peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27) and joy that can exist even in suffering (Romans 15:13). That hope is like an anchor, keeping you steady no matter the storm.
3. He Will Always Be With You
One of Jesus’ final promises was to his disciples: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). You will never walk through life alone—his presence is constant.
Why Does It Matter?
Understanding what Jesus actually promises keeps our faith rooted in truth. When we expect things he never said, we risk disappointment. But when we hold on to what he has promised—forgiveness, hope, and his presence—we find the kind of joy and peace that our circumstances can’t take away.
Following Jesus isn’t about getting every answer, living a perfect life, or avoiding hardship. It’s about walking with the one who has overcome the world, and trusting that what he promises is more than enough.
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If God already knows our sins, why confess them? There’s more to confession than we realize.
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!