The Sermon On The Mount v2 9 Oaths
Jesus said in Matthew 5:20 that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, we cannot enter His kingdom. This was a shocking statement and revealed that their righteousness was flawed and not pleasing to God. Jesus gives six examples of contrasts between their flawed righteousness compared to His kingdom righteousness which was in harmony with both the Law of Moses and the gospel under which we live today. Jesus in Mat 5:33-37 exposed their flawed righteousness about oaths. They wrongly believed and practiced a systems of swearing “lesser” oaths to objects or people that they believe they could violate without sinning. But, both the Law and Jesus reveals God demands that if oaths are taken they should be to Him only and they should be fulfilled. God demands honesty and faithfulness in both the old and new covenants. Therefore thinking you can swear to something or someone less than God does not mean you can be dishonest or unfaithful in keeping your word. Can Christians swear by God today? Let us study to see this answer from His Word.
