Cultural Change:  Here’s a thought. Change your thinking about promises. Don’t use earthy examples where promises are so easily broken. Parents promise their kids they’ll play with them later, but time gets away from them. Friends promise to call and stay in touch. That does’t always happen. Parents of divorce kids promise to come pick them up and have some together time. They don’t always show up. Politicians promise lots of things that they never deliver. My mom once promised us kids we would get a spanking when we got home. She forgot and we certainly didn’t remind her.

Here’s the real deal about promises. God does what He says He will do and He never breaks a promise. 2 Corinthians 1:20 in the NIV reads, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”  God promises salvation for those asking for it. He also promises eternal death for those who do not repent and come to know Him. He’s not a forgetful parent. He means what He says and He says He loves us. Read John 3:16.

Another thought for us is that we must be careful what we promise. Be faithful and true to your own words. The word “promise” is a the making of a “sacred oath.” Don’t speak the word lightly.