Real Righteousness

Read Matthew 5:33-37 

I read our verses in Matthew today and am reminded of the “games” we would play with the truth when were kids. You probably know what I’m talking about. When we were children, we learned that if we would embellish our promises (“cross my heart and hope to die…” or “I pinkie promise…”) then we were far more likely to get people to trust us. I mean, obviously we really meant it if we were willing to pinky promise! Unless we had our fingers crossed.  Or legs crossed.  Or eyes crossed.  Then of course any promises made were void.  

Good thing all that stops when we’re kids, right?  

In our verses today, Jesus is pointing to the issue of our character; our integrity. Are we people of our word, that is, will we actually do what we’ve said we’ll do? Would people in our life trust us with their needs, their secret, with their burden?

The man or woman who strives to be that kind of person, who feels confident that most people do think of them in those terms, that person has no need to say anything but “yes” or “no”… “their sober words should be as sacred as their solemn oaths.” The people around should be able to say, “If he said yes, then he’ll do it”, or “if she said no, then I believe her. It wasn’t her fault.”

As Christians, we should have a reputation for being honest and dependable. Jesus says we should keep things simple. Yes or no. And then follow through. Tell the truth. Keep our promises. Do what we say we are going to do. Don’t use our promises to manipulate others. Live with integrity. Real righteousness doesn’t have to convince someone with flowery words, it is words backed up by consistent actions.

FOR REFLECTION:

• What situations do you face where you are most tempted to not follow through on a promise or expectation?  How can you lessen these opportunities and increase your ability to let your yes be yes and your no be no? 

by Jim Caler