What is a vow and how does it differ to an oath? A vow is a solemn promise made to the Lord while an oath is a solemn promise made to a person / people in the presence of the Lord. Often, they are integrated. Some argue that vows and oaths belong to the Old Testament rather than the New Testament. Jesus did not, however, forbid the practice as it is sometimes taught. Rather, He addressed the way in which Jews made oaths as a cover for dishonesty – in response He said, let your yes be yes and your no be no (Matt 5:33-37). It is perfectly legitimate to make vows and oaths today as a way of formalising a commitment to God and to others. In the same vein we also speak of covenants – the formalising of commitment. Christians do this in marriage, establishing churches, joining churches, commitments of service, even in business.
In covenanting together to form KBBC we made promises to God and to one another.
“Trusting in Jesus Christ as Saviour, and confessing him as Lord, we covenant together to walk with God, in all the ways He has made known, and in all the responsibilities and privileges, of church fellowship and worship, service and witness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.”
There are also vows we affirm when coming into church membership. These vows express belief in the Bible, reliance upon Christ alone for salvation, the promise to address personal sin and pursue godliness, submission to church government in conjunction with scripture, regular attendance at church meetings, willingness to pray for and assist fellow believers. In response, the existing members vow to love and care for new members.
Because we are weak, we fail when it comes to promises. But inconsistency is a vastly different thing to indifference. It is easy to make promises and it is easy to forget them, discard them, and break them. God, however, does not forget the promises we make. Ecc 5:4-5, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed — (5) Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.”
Let me encourage all of us to take seriously the commitments we make. Vows, oaths, covenants, etc. are not to be entered into lightly. God does not break His Word and we should not break ours even when it is costly (Psalm 15). With this in view, it is helpful from time to time to remind ourselves of the privileges and responsibilities of church membership which are outlined in the constitution. When we affirmed the membership vows, we agreed to membership responsibilities. We should reflect upon that. I don’t mean to put a yoke upon anyone, but to help us to stay on course. God blesses faithfulness and diligence; He does not bless carelessness and indifference. Let us treat the privileges and responsibilities of church membership with the seriousness and thankfulness they deserve.
Psalm 61:5 & 8, “For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. (8) So, I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.”