Matthew 5:33-37 (NIVUK)
33 ‘Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not break your oath, but fulfil to the Lord the oaths you have made.” 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply “Yes,” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
We have been thinking how our hope in God is like an anchor over the last week, an anchor based on his consistent nature and purpose: God is faithful and works for our salvation. As his people, he calls us to be similarly dependable – here, for example, Jesus states that we shouldn’t need to make oaths because our lives and words should be reliable not fickle. It is a challenge as so many different impulses and influences tug at us, but let’s seek to do in his strength, the best we can.
Spirit, help us to be faithful and consistent in loving God and neighbour.
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