Series: Simply Complex
Message: Complex Beliefs
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Daily Walk: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit.

Read: Matthew 5:21–48 (NIV). As you read the New International Version, note 1–3 insights.

Reflect: I want to highlight verses 33–37 today. When my first son was born, I remember visiting this elderly Swiss-French couple who lived in the heart of London. They came from a line of followers who had been faithful to Jesus for centuries. They showed me their family crest and told me some beautiful stories about the brave things their ancestors had done during different periods of Europe’s turbulent history. I asked them many questions about life and for advice regarding my newborn son. How could I be a great father to Joshua, who at that time spent most of his day eating, sleeping, and filling diapers? They said, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no,’”—nothing more and nothing less. I was taking aback by the simplicity of that advice and the depth of it. I later connected it with these words of Jesus and others in the Bible who repeated it to remind us that the promises of Jesus regarding salvation are a “Yes.” They are not up in the air as a “perhaps” or a “maybe,” but a definitive offer of unconditional love.

Today, people of character who stick to their word are rare. Laurence Turner, in the sermon that I suggest you watch (research, below), shares a little story from British politics where the phrase “economical with the truth” became rather popular. We encourage children to always tell us the truth. But as they get older, we also teach them to hold back some of their thoughts. We tell them it is important to be sensitive in what they say. We hope they understand that holding back information is not lying, but in some cases simply being wise.

In Jesus’ time, people avoided taking an oath in the name of God so that they could wiggle out of their commitments. Jesus could have easily said, “Be more faithful to your oaths.” Instead, He dives far deeper. He challenges them to never take an oath again. He challenges them to be the same in private as they are in public. Transparency at this level is unheard of. How can we really live at that level? To be that honest would mean that you have to admit when you fail, when you make mistakes. You would have to admit that you need others. You would have to rely on community. You would have to rely on your marriage partner. You would have to learn to trust. Perhaps this is the thread that Jesus was pulling throughout the sermon . . .

Recalibrate: What lie have you told that you wish you could retract?

Respond: Pray for the strength to be transparent and honest in your words and actions.

Research: Watch the sermon by Laurence Turner on Matthew 5:33-37.