Christians, in today’s hustle and bustle society, it is easy to be busy. In our desire to accumulate experiences and enjoy life, we as humans have a tendency to over promise and under deliver. We make plans we cannot keep, arrange meeting times we are late for, or plan outings that do not encompass all we said they would. We pledge finances we cannot truly commit and sign up to serve and then back out or just don’t show up.
I believe that it sets our society up to be cynical, self-centered, and inconsiderate. I truly believe that it is something as Christians we need to work on so that we can set an example and people can believe what we say. Have you have ever been guilty of over promising? To be somewhere, do something, help out, show up, meet up, give, or any number of other things. If you did not follow through, know that it has probably caused hurt, disappointment, and created a lack of credibility or trust.
I think another issue, we, in our own mind might believe is that the bible over promises and under delivers. We see that God says He wants to bless us, prosper us, meet all our needs and then we get sick, lose a job, have rebellious kids and we think, this was not part of my blessing. God clearly states in His word that we will face trials and we need to persevere, (James). He allows things in our life to test us, (Job) and that some Christians will suffer for the Gospel, some be beheaded, some put in jail (Revelation). As much as God promises blessings, He also promises trials to refine us. We must take the good with the bad, the ups with the downs, and we ourselves want to be clear and honest with people so that we do not have them question us or our integrity.
We need to let people know if we have personal convictions and don’t want to see the movie with them. Do not lead them on as if you are going to go, if you aren’t. We need to say NO sometimes if we cannot fully commit to support, give, or serve. We need to start under promising and over delivering. If you know you cannot meet at 5:00 and it will probably be 5:30, tell them six at the latest and show up early. If you can support a missionary don’t tell them $50/month if you can only do $20, tell them for sure $10 and if $20 gets sent it will be a blessing. Gain people’s trust, be honest, build character through truth and accountability, in Jesus name, Amen.
Check out the story of Ananias and Sapphira to see God’s view on when people want to Over promise and Under deliver. These two said they gave ALL the money they made from a sale of a field when in reality they held some back. God takes this seriously Acts 5:1-10.
Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given Proverbs 25:14 (NIV)
For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. II Corinthians 1:19-20 (NLT)
So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 (AMP)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2017
roadcrew 40|3 