Yesses

"Your Yes must be Yes, and your No, No," James 5:12.

Here's a Big Deal. Don't swear. Don't make oaths. You know, like ... but, wait! First: James doesn't talk about cussing (there's plenty about that elsewhere). He talks about keeping true to our word even if: we don't sign the legal papers. Or don't promise on our mother's grave. Or don't say as God is our witness. Or don't assert to poke a red-hot needle in our eye. Or don't affirm on a stack of Bibles. Or if it's not a legal proceeding. If we say Yes, then that's all it takes. (Or No, of course.) No crossed fingers, no looking for loopholes. And why should our word be our bond? Because otherwise, God's judgment brings lying hearts down.

We meet up with a brother or sister today speaking truth in the love of God. And, together, we give thanks that we may trust all God's Yesses find their satisfaction in Jesus.