Lately, I have discovered the importance of our words. With words, we convince people of certain things, especially when our word becomes our bond. Now, whether that is through swearing, taking an oath, or even making a pledge or promise, when we give our word we are expected to do what we said.
Looking at Numbers 30:12, "Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel, saying, 'This is what the Lord has commanded. If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.'" God takes our word seriously. If we say that we are going to do something, he expects us to do it. In fact, he would rather us not make a promise than break it. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7)
Making an oath, promise, or pledge all require two things: you say what you mean, and you commit to what you say, even if the commitment becomes a life long life change.
Imagine if Jesus was like us, breaking His word constantly and not taking His words seriously. Before the earth was even created, He made a commitment to die on the cross for us because He knew that we would sin and He knew that the cross would be the only way to save us. He could have destroyed us or even backed out of dying at the cross. He could have lived the perfect life and died a natural death instead of the cross. He would have set the example, which we needed; but it would not have saved us. He made a commitment and followed through.
When God made a promise to David that He would bless his seed (AKA make Jesus part of his bloodline) He did not back out and keep Jesus from the world. He kept His word and did everything that He said that He would.
Yes, it is hard to keep our word sometimes, especially when we have to do something we hate doing; but Jesus was probably not thrilled about having to take the cup of wrath. He was probably happy to save us, but not to be in pain. There is one bright side to what He did. He gave us the ability to keep our word like He did. In John 14:12, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
Because Christ died for us and rose again, He gave us the Holy Spirit which allows us to do what He has done. The Holy Spirit allows us to have the determination and perseverance that Jesus had. We have the power to do what we say, but let us not speak foolish things either. We must watch our tongues, because God will expect us to follow our oaths. So we must practice what we preach, and preach what we practice. We have the power to do so because of the Holy Spirit. So let us take our word as seriously as God does.
-D
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