Consider these five reasons for keeping our promises to others. Doing what we say coveys to people they can trust us; it shows we have personal integrity; it tells others they are important; it builds in them respect for you. It demonstrates the value of having good relationships with others. When the Lord Jesus was here on earth, He was the model of integrity. One of the promises He made is critical to relationships we believers enjoy with God today. In response to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah (found in Matthew 16), our Lord assured Peter that Jesus would build his church on the truth that Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus’ identity as Messiah is so vital that He said not even the gates of hell could ever overthrow its permanence. That means every person who accepts Jesus as God’s promised Redeemer possesses eternal life. So when we tell people Jesus is God’s Son who saves all who accept Him, we are delivering God’s message and offering hope to all who believe it. And we know God is faithful to keep His word. Knowing that our God never fails to deliver what He promises is why we make every effort to keep our word to others.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
