Keeping Oaths

* Scriptures from Biblegateway.com

Matthew 5:33-37

I used to believe that this part of the Sermon stemmed from the former, that it had to do with the sanctity and sacredness of marriage as a covenant that needed to not be entered into lightly. I still do partially believe this, but I now extend it to many more promises - in fact all of them.

We all do it; we all break our promises. We intend to keep our word but often times something gets in the way and we are unable to do that which we swore to do. It may be over something small, and those who had trusted us may have forgiven us, but it is still a broken commitment.

We want to argue that it is not our fault:
"How was I suppose to control the weather?" Or ...
"Can I control the ants taking over my house?" Or ...
"I'm not the one who made the rules - blame the government/society!" Or ...
"Honestly, do you think I wanted to get sick?"

The heavens, the earth, government, even our own bodies. That is what Jesus was saying here. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is completely within our control. Control was partially deferred to us by the One who controls everything. Do not fool yourself. The car you drive was not a product of your sweat, blood, and persistence, although those may be the reasons why He allows you to enjoy it. Your body has thousands of dying cells, and you had no part in the complex arrangement of protons, neurons, and electrons that steadfastly work together to keep functioning cells ahead of the race. The more we decode the complexity of this natural world the more we realize the extent of its intricacy. And only One is able to keep it all together.

We are taught at a young age that He's got the whole world in His hands, but as we grow older we begin to put more faith in one nation, one company, one man. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses ..." [Psalm 20:7] Eventually we realize that we are placing our trust in someone who is just as fallible as we are, and by substitution, we feel we are able to handle much - just as much as we place into the hands of others. The effect of this is a people who flaunt accolades instead of being humbled by the honor, allowing their pride to take on more than they can handle, leading to imminent failure. The ironic response is disappointment and disillusionment - how could, no, how dare that person fail. "Does s/he realize how much I counted on them?"

That's just it. Why did we count on them that much? I need to pause here as assure you that I am in no way encouraging a pessimistic view of humanity as a failing bunch never to be trusted. But there is a need for our society to gain some perspective. Mankind will never be omnipotent. There is a reason we assign only God this supernatural quality. Our broken promises stem from a compulsion for power, to think that we are able to do all we need to do. In fact, the word for ability and the word for power is the same in Latin. Do we now see why whatever is more than a "yes" or "no" is from the evil one? [Matthew 5:37] The power to succeed in any given task comes not from something innate, but from the grace that God has imparted to us. His grace is sufficient for us. [2 Corinthians 12:9] It is His grace that provides, not anything of our own.

So what is the resolution? To never make a promise? Proverbs certainly advises something that appears that way. (See Proverbs 6:1-5) It would be extreme, however, to never assure someone that you will accomplish something. Instead, set your thoughts heavenward, realizing that you cannot accomplish it without God. The appropriate thought process should include some remembrance that you can do it "If the Lord wills..." [James 4:15]. This small reminder of humility will keep us from being ensnared by the trappings of the evil one. I encourage us all (yes that includes myself) to try it out, and see if our outlook is transformed.

God bless,
Alisha