A TREATY NEVER SWORN TO, AND NEVER BROKEN

According to Christianity Today, on 23 June 1683, English Quaker, William Penn, an advocate of peace and religious toleration, signs a treaty with the American Indians of Pennsylvania. Voltaire, [a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher and historian] commenting on this treaty, said, “the agreement was the only treaty never sworn to, and never broken.” What a testimony about the two parties that signed it – A TREATY NEVER SWORN TO, AND NEVER BROKEN.

Life has taught me that , TRUTH, TRUST, TRANSPARENCY and INTEGRITY come as a single package. One does not exist without the intentional involvement of the other. In fact, none of the above four can survive on their own, independent of the other. It takes much more than a mere desire to honour one’s word. There is a whole train-load of things that ought to come together intentionally, before we can honour our word.

1- The Word of God is clear – “4 ‘Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it – when he realises it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters.” – Leviticus 5:4
2- The LORD God almighty has made it absolutely clear – “You shall not lie “ Exodus 20:16
3- Jesus says – “37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37
4- Paul says – “6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” – Colossians 4:6
5- James says – “12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.” – James 5:12

Let us always know, that honouring our word is much more that keeping the promises we made. It is a reflection of who we are, and what we truly believe deep within. May the LORD help us to honour our word, and stand by it at all times, no matter the cost – “1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?…He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” – Psalms 15:1