Daily Bible Reading

Verse

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  –Romans 8: 16 – 17

Reflection

The Holy Spirit is what confirms in us that we are children of God.  The Bible defines the Holy Spirit as our guarantee of an external  life with the Father.  As children of God we become co-heirs with Christ, and we will partake in the inheritance that God, the Father, gave to His Son.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, that my identity is in You.  I thank You, Father, that I have been identified as a child of God and because of this I can call you Father.  Lord, I count it a privilege to be able to partake in a heavenly inheritance with Jesus Christ, my Savior.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Let Your “Yes” be “Yes” and “No” be “No”

Back in the times of the Old Testament, people used to swear by oaths in order to show how serious they were.  Some would swear by heaven, others would swear by heaven, others would swear on their own lives, while there were those who swore on God.  The problem with these oaths was that they were often broken and people were condemned for being unable to stick to their word.  James was trying to set people free from this bondage by encouraging them not to swear by anything … no matter how much they wanted to prove the gravity of their seriousness.  He simply stated that it would be better for a person to answer with a “Yes” or “No”.   Nothing more and nothing less.

It would be good for us to follow in this example too.  People in this day and age also try to prove their trustworthiness by swearing on all kinds of things – including their mothers’ lives.  There is no need to subject yourself to such bondage.  If you are keen on proving your trustworthiness strive to be a person of integrity by following by following through on your word.  There is no need for you to resort to dramatic oaths in order to prove to a person that they can trust you.  Things happen.  Life happens.

In the event that you are unable to come through on the oath, you will appear to be untrustworthy.  Save yourself the trouble and answer frankly. Let your “Yes” be “Yes” and let your “No” be “No”.  Do not create a trap for yourself by attempting to make vows and oaths you are not certain about.  You are not required to do so.

It would be better for you to stick to simplicity.  It is far more effective than theatrics.  If a person still doesn’t trust you after you have given them a frank answer, leave it at that.  Do not attempt to wind yourself in trouble by rising to their bait.

Let your actions speak louder than your words!