Matthew chapter 5: 34-37 (NIV)
But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
It’s the beginning of another year and people may make all sorts of resolutions and promises about things they want to achieve this year. We may use different ways to keep ourselves accountable, and certainly these can be very helpful. But the most important thing is that we need to be serious and committed if we want such resolutions to be successful. If we are not really serious then no amount of promising or pledging will make a difference. If we are serious, then we can follow Jesus’ instruction. Whatever it is, just say either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. In other words, just do the thing whatever it is, or stop doing it if that’s what is needed. God doesn’t need us to make fancy promises or deals, He wants us to be obedient and to do whatever He asks, or to stop doing it, if that’s what He wants. It’s not complicated.
Dear Lord,
Help me to remember that the most important thing for me to be is wholehearted and obedient. You don’t need fancy promises. So help me take that forward, I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.