WE MUST REPENT OF COVENANT-BREAKING

Covenant-breaking is listed with the 22 sins of Romans 1:29-32. Verses 32 says, “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death…”

Covenant-breaking is a serious sin that must be repented of immediately. We must cast off this inexcusable wimpiness and humble ourselves before our loving and merciful God. We must never forget that God’s loving forgiveness is entirely based on sincere repentance. If we will not repent, we will surely hasten the judgment of God.

We are all familiar with 2 Chronicles 7:14, although we do not always obey. “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

SACRED ABOVE WORDS

The marriage covenant is not an ordinary covenant. The wedding ceremony begins with the words, “These vows are sacred above words…” The name of God is liberally invoked to bear witness to our covenant in most Christian marriage services. Because we make our marriage vows to each other in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, they become holy and by no means should be treated lightly. It is serious business to invoke the Trinity into our vows.

VOWS ARE MADE TO BE KEPT

You must not break your word!

“This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. “ (Numbers 30:1-2 NIV)

You must perform what comes out of your mouth!

“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin… Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.” (Deuteronomy 23:21-23 NIV)

Did you not say, “God brought us together in marriage.”? Did you not covenant to “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse; for richer for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish; ‘till death us depart, according to God’s holy ordinance”? Does not God call your wife “the wife of your covenant?” (Malachi 2:14) The real man of God will stick to his covenant which he made before God and man.

You must fulfill your vows!

“Praise awaits you O God in Zion. To you our vows will be fulfilled.” (Psalm 65:1 NIV)

“Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them.” (Psalm 76:11 NIV)

You must not go back on your vow!

“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools: fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, ‘My vow was a mistake.’ Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? …Therefore stand in awe of God.”  (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 NIV)