Commands37 (Yes): Goodbook 1-19-16

One of our challenges for 2016 is to learn and live all 50 commands of Jesus. Jesus told us that following his commandments is a way to love him and a way for his love and his joy to fill our lives (John 15:9-12). In his Great Commission, Jesus tells his followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything he commanded us (Matthew 28:19-20). So each week in this year we are learning and living one command of Jesus. Here is our command for this week...

Week 37:

“And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. ” (Matthew 5:36-37).

Application:

I promise ... I swear on my mother's grave ... cross my heart and hope to die ...

I think we all have said a phrase like this at some point in our life. Truthfulness can seem so rare in our world that we feel like we have to reinforce our statements with an oath or exaggerated promise. Maybe we have not had a good track record of keeping our word and so we add emphasis to assure the other person we will really do it this time. Or maybe we are dealing with a person who is skeptical and we want to assure them that we can be trusted.

One of the wonderful attributes of God is that God is true to God's Word. When God says something, God is trustworthy and faithful to follow through. I ran across a great example of this in my daily Bible reading. God told David as a boy that he would become king and that God would deliver him from his enemies. On the other side of victory and kingship, David praised God saying, "And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant," (2 Samuel 7:28). God's words are true! God does not have to make oaths or exaggerated promises. We can trust that God's "Yes" is yes, and his "No" is no.

Jesus came to gather a people who will follow God and reflect God's character to the world. In the same way God is true to his word, we are called to be people of honesty and integrity. When we lie or do not keep our word, we reflect poorly on God. However, when we tell the truth and keep our word, we build credibility to share the Good News about God. That's why this command is such a big deal and gets repeated throughout the New Testament. James 5:12 says, "Above all, my brothers, do not swear-- not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no, or you will be condemned." If we tell the truth all the time, we will feel less pressure to back up our words with oaths and exaggerated promises. 

Are you known as a person of your word? I challenge us this week to practice honesty and integrity. Speak what is true. If you tell someone you will do something, follow through in a timely manner. If you have unfinished business, make good on your word. Be known as someone whose words are true without the need for oaths and exaggerated promises. With this kind of reputation, perhaps others will be more inclined to believe us when we tell them about God.

Share your comments and application ideas…