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PO1 H Gene Lawrence
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Edited 5 y ago
Good morning my RP Family. It is a nice sunny, but crisp Waco, TX morning. We are into our Veterans Day weekend. Veterans Day and most all days, I remember the oaths I took to the US Constitution and when I became a Deputy Sheriff. Of course there are other oaths I have taken as well. Those oaths are still binding, even though I’m retired. I was wondering what the Bible had to say about taking an oath so I went searching and found something very interesting in Legonire Ministries that I would like to share with you below. Have a blessed day today and always.

Taken from http://www.legonire.org
Jesus’ Teaching on Oaths
“I say to you, ‘Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King’” (vv. 34–35).

- Matthew 5:33–37
Oaths and vows are commended in Scripture, but not every oath or vow is legitimate. Certainly, a vow to commit a sin must not be kept, for we are never to break God’s law. David realized this when Abigail’s actions kept him from his vow to kill Nabal (1 Sam. 25). Moreover, no one should swear an oath indiscriminately or frivolously. The Westminster Confession of Faith says oaths are appropriate only in “matters of weight and moment” (22.2). This reflects a biblical pattern wherein oaths are commonly associated with covenants (Gen. 26:3; Ps. 132:11). We should make vows only in matters of great and lasting consequence, such as marriages or court proceedings.

Yet, we are left with some New Testament texts that, on first glance, seem to forbid oaths in our day. Today’s passage, for instance, calls us to “let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” (Matt. 5:37). Note, however, that the early Christians did not read Jesus’ words as prohibiting all oaths. Paul took vows during his ministry (Acts 18:18), and John records his vision of an angel who swore an oath (Rev. 10:5–6).

Understanding common first-century Jewish practices helps us see what our Savior was getting at in His teaching on oaths and vows. To keep people from breaking the law’s rules regarding our promises (Num. 30:1–2), Jewish teachers and leaders invented a system by which they could determine whether a vow had to be kept. Extrabiblical literature indicates that many rabbis did not consider it a sin to break a vow if it was not made explicitly in the name of God. Oaths made in the name of heaven or even the gold of the temple were not regarded as ultimately binding. As we might expect from sinners, this led to people making oaths by persons or objects other than God to give them an out in case they did not keep their word.

In Matthew 5:33–37, Jesus points out the foolishness of this teaching by reminding His audience of God’s omnipresence. People might think they can get out of their obligations because they did not swear an oath in the name of the Lord, but the Creator is present with those things by which people might swear, and He is the sovereign Creator of all. All things exist by His authority, so to swear an oath at all is to finally swear an oath in His name. A mere change of words does not give one a “get-out-of-oaths-free” card.

Coram Deo

Jesus’ teaching leads us to conclude that it is better not to make a vow than to swear an oath that we have no intention of keeping. It also reinforces the point that oaths and vows should not be made on just any occasion, but they should be reserved only for occasions of great import and lasting significance. In other cases, we should let our yes be yes and our no be no. But in all circumstances, we must strive to keep our word.
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PO1 H Gene Lawrence
PO1 H Gene Lawrence
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(Join to see) - you’re welcome and thank you.
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PO1 H Gene Lawrence
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
5 y
I pray that you and I have wisdom and discernment in making oaths and vows and that we honor our oaths, vows and covenants all our days, my friend and brother-in-Christ PO1 H Gene Lawrence and sister-in-Christ Linda Lawrence.
LORD God YOU are trustworthy in every possible sense and by nature we are not. Strengthen each of us dear God. Give us endurance to do good and stand firm in the truth as the culture around us clings to fables built on sand.
I pray that YOU bless those who are betrothed with wisdom and eyes open and ears open as they prepare to take vows. I thank YOU for opening and closing doors as necessary to guide the young-in-age and faith. Cut asunder budding relationships which will lead to disaster. Strengthen relationships that will lead to blessings for those involved and others.
I pray that those who made vows and oaths which they subsequently broke will be convicted and repent. Thank YOU for restoring the years the locusts have eaten to the injured parties in broken vow relationships of marriage and business dealings.
I pray that YOU strengthen marriages of true believers so that our marriages will thrive and serve as positive examples to others – especially those struggling.
I pray that each one of YOUR adopted children and their loved ones sleep well tonight.
By the power and authority of the Name above all names, Jesus the Christ.
FYI SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SSG William Jones PO1 Robert George SP5 Jeannie Carle SGT Steve McFarland COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT James Murphy
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PO1 H Gene Lawrence
PO1 H Gene Lawrence
5 y
LTC Stephen F. - Thank you and Amen!
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
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Good morning COL Mikel J. Burroughs and ride safe today!
We have all taken the oath to protect and defend at some point at least once (some of us many times) and each time hopefully understanding what it means. Those in our government also take an oath but I fear that they take it much more lightly than we do; many seem to have little if any difficulty in breaking that oath. The end does not justify the means; if you cannot hold to your oath, you should step down. That imo, applies to everyone regardless of party or position. Do not take your oath lightly for it holds your honor and your reputation in its hands.
LTC Stephen F. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen CPT Jack Durish CW5 Jack Cardwell TSgt Joe C. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Sgt (Join to see) Sgt John H. Maj Marty Hogan SGT (Join to see) LTC David Brown MSgt David Hoffman Sgt (Join to see) SP5 Mark Kuzinski CMSgt (Join to see) SPC Mark Huddleston SCPO Morris Ramsey LTC (Join to see) CPL Dave Hoover
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SSG Samuel Kermon
SSG Samuel Kermon
5 y
I have taken two oaths in my life. The first was when I took the Oath of Alkegiance, as a twelve year old, when I became a full citizen of this country. I took my second oath at the age of eighteen when I joined the Marine Corps. I will always stand by both. But too many people , especially those in politics, treat both oaths as simply a box that has to be checked but not followed. But there is one oath we all must face, the Oath God made wgen He stated that "...all shall face the final judgment."
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
5 y
I pray that you and I have wisdom and discernment in making oaths and vows and that we honor our oaths, vows and covenants all our days, my friend and sister-in-Christ Lt Col Charlie Brown.
LORD God YOU are trustworthy in every possible sense and by nature we are not. Strengthen each of us dear God. Give us endurance to do good and stand firm in the truth as the culture around us clings to fables built on sand.
I pray that YOU bless those who are betrothed with wisdom and eyes open and ears open as they prepare to take vows. I thank YOU for opening and closing doors as necessary to guide the young-in-age and faith. Cut asunder budding relationships which will lead to disaster. Strengthen relationships that will lead to blessings for those involved and others.
I pray that those who made vows and oaths which they subsequently broke will be convicted and repent. Thank YOU for restoring the years the locusts have eaten to the injured parties in broken vow relationships of marriage and business dealings.
I pray that YOU strengthen marriages of true believers so that our marriages will thrive and serve as positive examples to others – especially those struggling.
I pray that each one of YOUR adopted children and their loved ones sleep well tonight.
By the power and authority of the Name above all names, Jesus the Christ.
FYI SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SSG William Jones PO1 Robert George SP5 Jeannie Carle SGT Steve McFarland COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT James Murphy
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
Lt Col Charlie Brown
5 y
SSG Samuel Kermon - some people are really going to regret that...
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SSG Samuel Kermon
SSG Samuel Kermon
5 y
Lt Col Charlie Brown unfortunately true. I am learning that I need to pray that someone will allow God to use them to get in the face of an unsaved person and allow their voice to speak God's words of living redemption.
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Maj Marty Hogan
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Edited 5 y ago
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski
SP5 Mark Kuzinski
5 y
Amen to that and good morning Marty.
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Construction Manager
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5 y
Thank you for serving Marty, Blessings & Prayers !
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CWO3 Retired
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5 y
Capt. Thanks for sharing this great information.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
5 y
I pray that you and I have wisdom and discernment in making oaths and vows and that we honor our oaths, vows and covenants all our days, my friend and brother-in-Christ Maj Marty Hogan.
LORD God YOU are trustworthy in every possible sense and by nature we are not. Strengthen each of us dear God. Give us endurance to do good and stand firm in the truth as the culture around us clings to fables built on sand.
I pray that YOU bless those who are betrothed with wisdom and eyes open and ears open as they prepare to take vows. I thank YOU for opening and closing doors as necessary to guide the young-in-age and faith. Cut asunder budding relationships which will lead to disaster. Strengthen relationships that will lead to blessings for those involved and others.
I pray that those who made vows and oaths which they subsequently broke will be convicted and repent. Thank YOU for restoring the years the locusts have eaten to the injured parties in broken vow relationships of marriage and business dealings.
I pray that YOU strengthen marriages of true believers so that our marriages will thrive and serve as positive examples to others – especially those struggling.
I pray that each one of YOUR adopted children and their loved ones sleep well tonight.
By the power and authority of the Name above all names, Jesus the Christ.
FYI SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SSG William Jones PO1 Robert George SP5 Jeannie Carle SGT Steve McFarland COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT James Murphy
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