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	A PASTOR'S POINT OF VIEW by Tommy Grimes
PROMISES, PROMISES         I was awaiting my turn at the grocery checkout and chuckled at the claims made on the numerous magazine covers. One promised Lose 20 lbs. fast!  Another boasted a diet that even got my attention; Lose weight by eating more food!  I thought, no doubt empty promises; but they sell the magazine!                                                                                            (Continued Below)      Tommy Grimes has been a preacher, teacher and pastor for many years, focusing much of his ministry on studying prophecy and the events of the "Last Days."  Tommy is also an accomplished musician (Guitar), Songwriter and Writer. Tommy lives on Colorado's Western Slope with his wife & ministry partner, Carma, and together they travel all over the country preaching, teaching and singing about God's grace, love and mercy.         The inference is clear: follow the rules of the diet and you will earn the reward promised. However, the reality of the dieting experience proves the promise to be fleeting. Why is this I wondered? I concluded from my own dieting failures the problem to be rooted in lack of will power!         Could this human frailty be the cause of frequent failures and disappointing progress in the Christian experience? I know this has been an issue for me at times and I suspect some of you can agree. Have you ever been challenged by a spiritual truth promising yourself to change only to fail; again, again, and again?         I’ve discovered a spiritual truth that I believe will help us when tempted to trust our willpower for spiritual growth. “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea: and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5: 12 KJV underline emphases mine)         We are aware of the dreadful reality of failing to perform vows in the Old Testament. “When thou vow a vow unto the Lord thy god, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy god will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.” (Deuteronomy 23: 21) Yet, one need not vow! “But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.” (Vs 22) I can’t tell you how many times I’ve see people drawn into the trap of making a vow to gain some spiritual increase or victory over some besetting sin. The preacher may have had good intentions but the result is bondage – I will prove it by the text in James.         James admonishes us with great emphasis “But above all things,….swear not….by any other oath” The Greek word for swear is om-noo'-o, meaning to  take (or declare on) oath. He connects the word swear with the word oath in this verse. James is instructing us not to make empty promises but simply say yes or no. Otherwise, he says, “you will fall into condemnation.” The word condemnation here is, hoop-ok'-ree-sis – meaning acting under a feigned part; that is, (figuratively) deceit (“hypocrisy”): - condemnation. When we fail our promise, we fall into the trap of secret hypocrisy. This causes us to lead a life of self condemnation or judging ourselves as incapable of moving forward and higher in the things of God. This does not please God and is indicative of our lack of trust in His graces to help us overcome.         Vines Dictionary of New Testament Words defines the oath as, [is primarily equivalent to herkos, "a fence, an enclosure, that which restrains a person;" hence, "an oath." Can you not see the trap of the vow when trusting human will power! The Lord's command in Mat_5:33 was a condemnation of the minute and arbitrary restrictions imposed by the scribes and Pharisees in the matter of adjurations, by which God's Name was profaned. The injunction is repeated in Jam_5:12. Grasp the importance of that which Jesus is instructing then compare His word to James’ teaching in our verse (James 5: 32) Mat 5:33  Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: Mat 5:34  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Mat 5:35  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Mat 5:36  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. Mat 5:37  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.         If you find yourself living under condemnation (self-judgment, deeming yourself as unworthy or living under a self curse for failing to live up to promises made to Him) effectively keeping you from fulfilling God’s desire to have you close to Him: ask forgiveness now for trusting your ability more than His grace to bring you into His promises of victory. Forget about your mistakes! Keep coming to the fountain filled with blood – drawn from Emmanuel’s veins – because sinners plunged beneath the flood lose all their guilty stains! Praise God. Until next time, Tommy Grimes Life Song Ministries, Inc. 970-275-8196
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