I tend to be one of those people who “shoot straight.” I want other people to shoot straight with me as well. It’s easier, right? I don’t need to sift through the social nuances of language and behavior to figure out what a person thinks or feels. I just want to know. Explicitly. It’s easier. It leaves less room for meaning to get lost in the interpretation.
Perhaps that seems strange, but as long as I am being transparent with you (and myself), I also really hate when people say they are going to do something and then don’t. Certainly I frustrate others when they extend an invitation to participate in something and they do not get a quick affirmative response from me. I believe I understand their frustration, and yet, I would much rather decline or give an “I don’t know” answer than say yes and then not follow through. Why? It feels like lying. It feels like an empty promise.
Before you begin a mental argument with me regarding unforeseen circumstances like an illness that develops or some sort of emergency arises- understand that I am not talking about times where we simply cannot follow through. I get that. Life happens. Things happen. But outside of some sort of medical or relational emergency, our yes should be yes, and our no should be no.
This may seem silly to you, but even empty promises about weather bother me. I realized this morning that when the app on my phone says there is a 90% chance of snow (for example), I am expecting snow. In fact, I am downright annoyed when there isn’t a trace of it anywhere. I feel lied to. Misled. (I told you it might seem silly!)
I think that this need for truth and this desire to have explicit and direct conversation is part of the reason why I love my Heavenly Father and His word. God never contradicts Himself. He never breaks His promises. He speaks clearly about what we need to do to be saved. He gives clear parameters for us to live lives that are filled with His blessing. God is the author of structure and holiness, but is also overflowing in grace and mercy for His children when we miss the mark.
What do I need to do to be saved? “If you openly declare that Jesus is LORD and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) Everyone who calls on the LORD will be saved. Explicit. Clear. A promise that cannot and will not be broken because God makes it.
Blessings!
Amen