Live in Truth

I’ve read the Sermon on the Mount very often, but today found something that I haven’t noticed before. I think that there are so many beautiful teachings in the Sermon that I’ve concentrated on them and missed this verse. It is found in Matthew 5:33: “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths.” Under the Law of Moses people were taught that if they made a promise to the Lord they were to keep it.  That makes sense. But Jesus goes on to say, “But I say unto you, Swear nt at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:34-37).

This statement follows a pattern that has been established in the sermon where the Lord has said "Old Law" now the "New Law." For example, the old laws says don’t murder, but I say don’t even get angry. And the old law says don’t commit adultery, but I say don’t even have lustful thoughts. Now these verses say, the old law says keep oaths you have made to the Lord, but I say don’t make oaths that you will do certain things instead do what is right at all times.

In other words, don't make promise to God occasionally, but Live in Truth all the time.