Gifts and Talents

        We all make vows, oaths, and pledges from time to time. Sometimes we give our word to do something. The word "oath" and the phrase "I swear" refer to a solemn vow. For those who choose not to, the alternative terms "solemn promise" or "solemnly affirm" and "I promise" or "I affirm" are sometimes used.

      When we get married we make vows to each other “till death do us part.” Anyone who is going into an office of honor or profit in the civil service or uniformed services, shall take the following oath: “I, (your Name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

      When the President is taking office he also has to make an “Oath” of the office. The President’s oath of office - “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Stares.”

      We are also making a “Vow, Oath or Pledge” by the words we speak. We say to our boss that we will be at work at 8:00 am. We are there parking our car at 8:00 am. But it takes 5:00 minutes to get to your desk. You are 5:00 minutes late. We are not keeping our word. Just because we are on site does not mean we are on time. Many people say they are going to meet us at 9:00 am, but they are there at 10:00 am. Many people are constantly late, every time. It is a habit that they always do.

      When we tell someone that we are going to do something, we are giving them our Word. Our Word is who we are. If we are late or do not do what we promised to do, then we are thieves, because we stealing some one else's time. In times past we would shake someone’s hand, and that was all that was needed. No contract. Just our word was all that was needed. Today, contracts are broken, we lie to people, we do what we want. Our word does not mean anything.

      There is One person that always keeps His Word, and that is God. God cannot lie. What He said is the truth. He will never go back on His Word. He told Adam and Eve that they would die if they ate of the Tree in the garden. They ate of the fruit, and as God said, they died. They were created to never to die. But, because of sin they and all of us will die. We are dead in our sins. But, God made a way for us to be Redeemed. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus. There is no other way into heaven, but, through Jesus. He is our redeemer, He is our advocate to the Father.

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      New King James Version
James 5:12 ¶ But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes," be "Yes," and your "No," "No," lest you fall into judgment.

      New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 5:1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.
3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool's voice is known by his many words.
4 ¶ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed--
5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.