You’ve heard the popular saying, “He’s as good as his word” …
But what does that really mean? Is it just talking about the person?
Is it just some secular wording that says, “Oh yeah, I’ll pay you back, don’t worry?”
Although the phrase has been watered down over the ages so that today we hardly give it a thought, it’s meaning is enormous and attests to something far bigger than just one’s own character.
Just as the U.S. dollar (known as a Federal Reserve note) is backed by the “full faith and credit” of the government, our word is backed by the “full faith and credit” of Jesus Himself.
Without faith in the dollar, our financial system would crumble and become meaningless.
Without faith in Jesus, “giving our word” becomes empty and meaningless.
Your word is only as good as your investment in Jesus.
Which Begs the Question, is Jesus Invested in You?
I love watching old Westerns. Back in those days, a man took pride in his word, and many a deal was sealed with only a handshake.
A man was taken at his word. Period.
So, why is it important to be a man or woman or child of your word when you strike a deal, make a promise, borrow money or say you’ll get something done? Because, Jesus has everything to do with it.
When you “give your word,” look upon it as binding contract in God’s Court of Law.
Consider These Bible Passages
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
OK, we have established that the Word is God.
Next:
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
The Word became flesh.
That is Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, when Ani Ma’Amin gives his boss “his word” that he will stay until the job gets done, he is actually saying:
“Because of Jesus who dwells in me, because there is no deceit in Jesus, because as a Christian I want you to see Jesus in me in whatever I promise you I will do, because I love the Lord and only want to deal in good faith as Jesus would, because when I make a promise to you I am also making the same promise to Jesus … you don’t have to worry about me finishing my work. I give you my word.
Are you a Christian who took out a student loan, for example, and has decided not to pay it back because “others are not paying it back” and feel the government one day will forgive your debt?
When you signed that paper promising to pay back that loan, you were giving “your word.”
You promised in His name you would pay back your obligation.
Not to do so is an affront to God.
Promise to show up on time and don’t?
Promise to repay a loan on a certain date and don’t?
Promise to get a chore done and don’t?
Promise to do your homework and don’t?
What does that say about your walk with the Lord?
Key takeaway
You are only as good as your word, and your word is only as good as your relationship with Jesus. Tweet
It really is that simple.
It is good to remember:
The Word is alive. It is faithful, true, living, loving, flawless, a shining light, eternal … and in you.
Which means:
Your Word says volumes about who you are as a Christian.
Your Word is incredibly important to you and the person you give it to.
Your word is a “binding contract” with God.
Your Word is Jesus.
Your Word is everything.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Those you deal with will know if you just talk the talk or actually walk the walk. So, don’t give your word lightly. But do give your word and mean it … in Jesus name.
Your word, like Jesus, is priceless.
What is the attitude of your heart when you “give your word?” Do you have a binding relationship with the Lord that allows you to “give your word” and have it backed by the “full faith and credit” of Jesus Christ?
When I wasn’t really walking with the Lord, I have to say that my word was pretty flaky. It didn’t really mean that much to me and I did occasionally back out of commitments.
But then when I became a Christian and I came across a verse that exhorted me to make my “yes” to mean yes and my “no” to mean no, I began to put more emphasis on my word. Even when I try to back out of something that I’ve committed to now, sometimes the Holy Spirit convicts me.
Thanks for a great post, Ani 🙂