30 C L
.
Years ago when I was a younger pastor, I re-
member chatting with a godly guy who was
a bit older than I. I don't know how we got
onto the subject but I will never forget his
comment. He referred to his marriage vows
(covenant, promise) and said, "For my wife
and me, divorce is never an option. Since
this is true, we always know that whatever
the di culties may be, divorce is o the
table. We have to nd other ways to work
out the problems." at was nearly breath
taking, not because it
is so astounding but
because today, even
among true Chris-
tians it seems to be
rare. It should not
be rare. How great a
promise is that which
is made before a Pas-
tor, and family, and
friends, and especially
in the presence and
name of Jesus Christ, God the Son!
As we consider promises, I hope we will all
think of those to which we have committed
ourselves. We used to say, "A man's hand-
shake is his bond." Unfortunately even
among Christians, I am afraid, there is a
need for a legally signed document which
often needs to be enforced by a judge or
some judicial review due to the lack of
strength that undergirds many promises
today. is should not be.
I hope you love the power of the following
Bible verses as much as I do:
e saying is trustworthy, for: If we have
died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him; if
we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are
faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot
deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Our homes, our communities, our gov-
ernments, our businesses, our friendships
would all be better, if our promises were
more powerful. If we mean what we say,
and say, what we mean, then it is more likely
that we will be under-
stood and being peo-
ple of Christian char-
acter will seek with all
our might, even to our
own detriment, to ful-
ll our promises.
I, for one, am sick in
my innermost be-
ing, of having lead-
ers lie to me. Tell me
the truth. Keep your word. If you love
people, be honest. Keep your promises. It
is better not to make a promise than after
having made one to break it. Some of us
are old enough to remember the infamous
words, "Read my lips. No new taxes!" A
great man said those words, and that great
man was deeply humiliated and excoriated
because he broke his promise. I know, I
know, circumstances change, but a promise
is a promise, is a promise.
God keeps his promises. Aren't you glad?
Try to be godlike. Keep your promises.
Happy promise keeping.
I'
VE
B
EEN
T
HINKING
A
BOUT
...
PROMISES
I'
VE
B
EEN
T
HINKING
A
BOUT
...
PROMISES
J
ED
N. S
NYDER
, D. M
IN
.
Founder/President
J
E
D M
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