One sure thing that can confidently be said about our society is that man
is unpredictable. With many people, you never know what they will actually do
after they say what they will do. Man’s commitment to his word rarely goes
beyond “maybe.”
Unfortunately, man often reads his mistrust of what others say and what
they might or might not do, into God’s Word when he reads it. People feel
that because you cannot trust man’s word, you can’t count on God’s Word
either.
Thankfully, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son
of man, that he should repent [change His mind]: hath he said, and shall he
not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
(Numbers 23:19).
Man’s standard of commitment seems so many times summed up as, “Yes,
no, maybe so.” Man’s word, and even his handshake, has little value today.
We need to notarize and have lawyers verify everything said.
In the Bible, God addressed the wishy washy attitude of the Corinthian
believers.
II Corinthians 1:17:
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I
purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be
yea yea, and nay nay?
Paul did not use “lightness,” meaning a lack of seriousness. Paul was
concerned with the Corinthians’ attitude of saying “yes” one day and “no”
the next. The expression, “Yea yea and nay nay,” is what we might use to
characterize someone who always says, “Yes, no, maybe so.” In other words,
words indicating no commitment. God, on the other hand, is faithful to His
Word.
II Corinthians 1:18:
But as God is true [faithful], our word toward you was not yea
and nay.
When it comes to the Words of Life--God’s matchless Word, we do not mess
around. We stay put on what it says without being swayed back and forth. For
Paul and others, when they taught Jesus Christ, it was not “yes, no, maybe
so.”
II Corinthians 1:19:
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even
by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
In him, the Lord Jesus Christ, everything was “yes,” not going back and
forth on the truth. All that Christ did and made available through his works,
death and resurrection was critical to the salvation and future well being of
each and every person alive. “…there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
When it comes to reputability, God is second to none. Remember, He is
“…not a man that he should lie…” He is honorable and upright beyond
reproach. He says what He means and means what He says. When it comes to His
promises to us, He has integrity.
II Corinthians 1:20:
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the
glory of God by us.
Not only are all the promises of God the Father, “yes,” meaning He is
upright to do what He says each and every time, but all the promises in Him
are “amen.”
The word, “amen,” means “so be it, so it is.” It is a declaration
that what I just said is true, so be it, so it is! That is why when we say,
“amen,” after a prayer it should have significance in our hearts that we
are confident in that prayer. Many just say it haphazardly, not recognizing
its importance.
Not only are all the promises of God “right on” and they are “so be
it, so they are,” they are also “…unto the glory of God by us.” In
other words, God’s glory is you and I going to Him requesting His promises,
knowing they will come to pass. Amen!
James 5:11 and 12:
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of
Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful
[compassionate], and of tender mercy.
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by
earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea and your
nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Our “yes” needs to be “yes”! Let’s be honest with ourselves and
our Father to give solidarity to our words.
As God’s glory, we need to rise up in our minds to say what God’s Word
says about us and not waver on it. Let’s have integrity with our words as we
make our commitment to walk on His Word.
If you say you are going to pray for 15 minutes every day—do it.
If you say you are to going to read God’s Word for 15 minutes every day—do
it.
If you say you are going to attend fellowship every time because you are an
important member in the Body of Christ—do it.
We need to develop a “Yea and Amen” lifestyle by renewing our minds to
God’s Word and doing it faithfully. Amen? Amen!
- Bob Lindfelt
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory
in his might,
let not the rich man glory in his
riches.
But let him that glorieth glory in this,
that he understandeth
and knoweth me, that I am the Lord
which exercises
lovingkindness, , judgment, and
righteousness, in the earth:
for in these things I delight, saith
the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23 and 24
