The Oath And The Promise

Hebrews 6:16-18 KJV16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:18 that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: It is meant to be a serious matter for anyone to swear an oath before God as confirmation to what is said to be true. To swear an oath is to utter a solemn declaration, with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. A false oath is called perjury. In days past, it was understood to break a sworn oath is to call evil down upon the person breaking his oath and to be cut off from God's favor. To break a sworn oath was once considered a very serious matter. What is even more serious than a man swearing an oath before God is for God to swear an oath before man. God's Word of promise alone is enough, but God choose to confirm and guarantee His promise with a sworn oath. Understanding what it meant for God to confirm His promise with a sworn oath should give believers a hope whereby they can anchor their souls enabling them to endure and conquer because of the surety of God's promise. Can we see how God seeks faith in everything and how He desires that we unfailingly trust Him?Hebrews 11:6 KJV6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Until a deep commitment of faith and obedience takes possession of us, we hinder God from doing His work in us. Walking with God requires deep humility, dependence, obedience, faith, and patience. Faith in God and in His unfailing promises opens the heart and life in faith and expectant hope allowing God to work freely in our lives. It is by willingness and obedience we open the door by faith to God. Faith in God and His Word is trusting in both. Can we trust God? How much can we trust God? Can God trust us? How much can God trust us? God wants us to know that He is so committed and serious about doing His part that He swore an oath to always keep His promise. The Father points to Himself and His integrity and to giving Himself as security, as guarantee that He will fulfill His promise to the heirs of salvation. Note the words that are used in Scripture: "God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath." By swearing an oath, God gives us more abundant proof that we are heirs of the promise, heirs of salvation. We must then respond by giving more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, for how shall we escape a just recompence of reward for our sins if we neglect so great a salvation?Hebrews 2:1-3a KJV1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3a how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;… It is not possible for God to lie, but He takes us another step further by swearing an oath that He will do what He said: "blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee" and in all this may the heirs of salvation have strong consolation and encouragement of hope and faith. There is nothing false in God. But how little the darkened hearts of men will trust Him to fulfill His promise. How arrogant, how prideful, how dishonoring and ungrateful man can be to not give God all that is due Him, in faith, hope, and love. To doubt, to draw back, gives God no pleasure. Drawing back from God's gracious promise is to draw back unto perdition; but to them that believe they will be saved and redeemed.Hebrews 10:38-39 KJV38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. What would happen within us if the Holy Spirit took us back in time and we heard by our spiritual ears the Father swearing His oath to fulfill His promise? One cannot help wonder why is it that self professing believers still harbor even the smallest hint of doubt, unbelief, or indifference to God's promises. How inconceivable it is to see how the darkness of this world still blinds the eyes of born again believers, binding them to this world and to self deception. Is it a lack of revealed knowledge? Is it a lack of love and devotion to God? Is it a love for darkness rather than light? Or is it all of these and more? Shall we not count it as our highest privilege and responsibility to trust God fully and to honor Him each day by a life of full surrender? To love God, with all our heart and soul, and have no other gods before Him is the cure for the evils so abundantly offered by this world. The hope that is put before us that is secured by the Father's sworn oath to keep His promise is of infinite value for anyone who loves God and is called by His name.