31/12/2020 - THEY SHALL NO LONGER SAY

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“Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ Jeremiah 23:7

The knowledge of God is like man’s daily life, who learns more each day about what is around him and, thus, lives better. It is good to meet someone who has faced the daily challenges and defeated them. If something is bothering us, we can talk to those who solved their problems satisfactorily, and he will help us to solve the evil that plagues us. However, the Lord is the best Counselor.

In the past, when they made a serious commitment, the Israelites strived to speak in the Name of the Lord, who brought them up from the land of Egypt. Today, this is unnecessary, because the Word of God teaches us to say yes to the truth and no to the lie. We must honor our word, without speaking unknown things or using the Name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7).

If something is misleading, or we don’t know its origin, we should not approve it. Our saying must be yes, yes, or no, no (Matthew 5:37). To confirm something wrong, using the Name of the Lord, is a sin. But, if we are certain, our word is enough. Now, our position is that of ministers of the Gospel of Christ; therefore, our duty is to proclaim the truth!

In regards to using the Name of Jesus in vain, I give an example. One time, I was with a brother in Christ, who owns an optical store, at his company. When a customer arrived in search of the glasses he had ordered, this brother gave an evasive response, but the person reminded him that he had said the same thing just a few days before. However, the owner of the establishment declared that this time it was real. The client replied, but he reaffirmed: “You can come back on this day, because your glasses will be ready, in Jesus Name.” 

When the person left, I told the brother that his behavior was wrong. He explained that he sometimes needed to act that way, instead of saying that the lens factory had delayed their delivery. I said that we should only say the Lord´s name in the preaching of the Good News. I quoted the Master’s answer to someone who had asked Him to make his brother share the inheritance with him: Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” (Luke 12:13,14).

It is worthy to conduct ourselves honestly before everyone. One day, we will be held accountable for every idle word we speak (Matthew 12:36). We are free to pray that the Lord will help us in our businesses, without asking Him to convince someone to close a deal with us. Stay alert, because Scripture should never be used with the goal of buying or selling anything!

Be careful! Never mistaken a person with the affairs of this life. The Most High will give us what we need to live decently. In any lawful activity in which we are involved, in order to earn our daily bread, we must have wisdom and fear of God. Thus, we will not bring moral or financial loss to anyone.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares