Bible Thoughts

October 19, 2003

A promise is a very serious act. If the word of an individual is not valued by himself, he should never expect it to be esteemed and accepted by others. The quickest way to cause doubt to arise in regard to one's word is to break promise. For the disciple of Christ, a verbal obligation is as binding as if it were written, signed, notarized, registered and committed to the vault of a bank. One should never look at a promise as something treated lightly, broken at one's own discretion.

The world would be a much better place in which to live if every person valued a promise as he should. Many of the heartbreaks, disappointments and troubles would be erased if we made a greater effort to keep our promises. Confidence and trust would not be doubted as it often is today if our "word was our bond." How many marriages would be saved; how many homes would remain intact; how many friendships would be honored if promises were kept? Only the Lord knows the answer.

Often the promises we fail to keep were very lightly regarded. However, to the person who accepted a promise, it could be very important. No matter how trivial a promise may seem to the one making such, every effort should be made to keep it. We may not know how the receiver of the promise feels about the commitment. If we, as Christians, would strive to be considerate of our spoken word to another, would we surely be more like Christ?

Man may break his word and ignore his promises; God's promises stand sure and solid. The assault of time has not weakened the strength of the Lord's word in the least. Time may erase a memory from a human, but God's memory is not subject to the decay of time.

Feelings may alter human promises, but God is the same "yesterday, today, and forever." Once God makes a promise, if the conditions are met, all the hosts of the evil one cannot and will not prevent the fulfillment of such.

The word "promise" appears 53 times in the Bible(KJ). Most of the passages refer to God's word to mankind. Unlike mankind, God keeps His word. Peter said that "the Lord is not slack concerning his promise."

Even under the Old Covenant, Jehovah always followed up on His word. There were times when the Lord would change His intentions(when men repented or righteous men pleaded), but, in the end, God followed through on His promises. While the deadness of Sarah's womb put a doubt in Abraham's mind, there was no question but that "according to this season...Sarah..." had a son(Romans 9:9).

The faithful child of God can rest on the promise that was made by the Lord in II Peter 3:13. "But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." John said, "And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal"(I John 2:25).

Have I made a promise lately? Did I keep my word? If not, why not? While there are times when it is not possible to meet an obligation--but let this be the exception rather than the rule. If we were considerate, sincere, and earnest as disciples of the Master, would so many promises lie broken in the dust of life? Christian, make your word your bond. During the coming days, weeks, months, and years, do all that is possible to keep your word to be faithful to the Lord and His cause. The attitude of Christ dwells within those disciples who keep their promises.

This man, Epaphroditus, is a unique individual. The apostle Paul had a great deal of confidence in him. His confidence was justified. Epaphroditus proved himself as he stood beside Paul in the battle for truth and right. He demonstrated his eagerness to do right as he worked beside Paul. He had been faithful in being a messenger to and for Paul. He also did what he could to meet the needs of the apostle by bringing a "sacrifice" to meet those needs. Such an example is worthy of imitation, not only by the Philippians, but in our age as well. Dedication and faithful service is not outmoded. It is as needed today as it was in the days of Paul, the apostle. Whatever you do, in word of deed, do it all with the type of eagerness found in Epaphroditus.

The one to whom John is writing was a beloved person. Why? Because he respected and loved the truth. Is it not amazing to find a person who is so spiritually healthy that it is desired he have the same degree of physical health? I fear it is too often the opposite. To impress an apostle, one had to be another of those most unique people we read about in the New Testament. Gaius, as others, set an example by the life that he lived, what he believed, and that for which he would stand. The life of devotion to the truth gave Gaius spiritual health. John was delighted that Gaius was one of his "children" that walked in truth. The influence of a righteous person had influenced Gaius. Such a life should influence each of us to seek the spiritual health that will lead one to please God.