Thought for the Week: Promises, promises
I was recently asked to speak to a youth gathering about the promises I value most.
It’s a timely topic; a promise is a declaration of truth – a commitment that we will, to the best of our ability, follow through.
We live in an era where public and political figures often pivot from one stance to another, rendering their word virtually worthless. This cultural shift has trickled down to our personal lives, diminishing the value of “keeping one’s word”.
It is frustrating when a plumber fails to show up at the time promised; it is devastating and life-changing when a spouse breaks a wedding vow.
While we think increasingly little of our promises, Jesus calls us to a radical simplicity in the Gospel of Matthew: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No’.” He challenges us to mean what we say and to carry it out. It is how he lived and how he died.
Only God is consistently honest and faithful, possessing the sole power to fulfil every word He speaks.
I shared with that youth group a promise that has anchored my Christian life since the beginning: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
God is faithful to that promise because Jesus Christ died to secure that forgiveness for all who trust Him.
For some time, I kept this verse on a scrap of paper in my wallet. In a world of broken promises whenever I felt the sting of doubt in God, I pulled it out. Today, I still love that promise, but I have come to love the Lord of the promise even more.
Rev Dr Scott Kirkland, Lochgilphead and Tarbert Free Church.
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