When I married Sally, I made a promise before God that I would love her, keep her, cherish her, and be faithful to her. I meant it; I poured all that I had into that promise. A marriage promise is probably one of the biggest that anyone would make. It would break me and who I am if I were to break this promise because I believe in it so much. There are other promises I make in relationships with my friends and children. The ones I made without a room full of people and the ones that still carry weight.

We all have either made those types of promises are have been promised by others.

When promises are fulfilled, there is an incredible strength created. Would you agree?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:37 “Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.”  Jesus was correcting habits of the Pharisees and lawmakers who made promises before God and broke them so flippantly. He basically says not to make promises anymore because they don’t mean anything. Instead, “let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’.

We make promises to friends, parents, and to our children that carry a lot of weight. Whatever promises we make, they speak volumes when they are fulfilled. They strengthen the relationships. They strengthen trust. They strengthen the love that we have for one another. And this love that is strengthened is what Christ wants for us.  

God is the ultimate promise keeper! He has fulfilled every promise He has made! Now that is someone who has my ultimate trust! Christ is who I love because He has proven His love to us. God promised His son, Jesus, to be our savior. All who call upon Him will be saved.

Imagine what type of family we would have if we were able to share that type of reliability. What about within our friendships? What about within the church community? We would be living out the promise that Christ has for everyone.

Josh Crosby is Minister to Youth at Columbus Ave. Baptist Church in Waco, TX.

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