Let Your Yes Be Yes - Not Maybe

 “But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.” – James 5:12

Have you ever given that verse much thought? In my experience, very often people, Christians, will commit to something - perhaps even make a resolution. The only problem is that the commitment or resolution lacks something - Resolve. To be resolved, in this sense, is to reach a firm decision about something. To be committed to seeing it through "come hell or high water". Nothing will sway you from accomplishing whatever it is that you have said "yes" to. But so often there are many things that can sway us from that commitment. From that resolute decision to do some - thing.

In the case of the church there are some implications that we fail to take into account. The times when we have agreed to do something or committed to do something that has a spiritual nature or context to it. All too often we treat those commitments as lightly as our agreeing to mow the grass on Saturday only to be invited to play golf with friends. Well, we can mow the grass another day, can't we? Yes, if God gives us another day that is. That reminds me of one such account in the Book of Acts, Chapter 5.

"Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God. When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died." - Acts 5:1-5

What! You ask. He died? Does that seem a bit extreme for simply deciding to keep for himself that which he was his to begin with. Did you catch Peter's words? "How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit - You have not lied just to human beings but to God." Lied to the Holy Spirit. When you agree to do something for God - which may be a simple commitment at church - which represents the Body of Christ - to then choose to not do it is to lie to the Spirit. 

Why does this happen - all too frequently I might add? I think it happens because when most people say "yes" they are really saying maybe. Like choosing between mowing the grass or golfing. For God there is no maybe. It is either yes or no. To say yes and not do it is the same as lying to God. Make you uncomfortable? It should. It does me. This is what Jesus said to the Church at Laodicea.

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." - Revelation 3:15-18

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone