I wonder how many are willing to make a vow that they will never sin again? Any takers out there? Why not? It would be impossible for men but not for God, right? I thought that some of you believed that those that are born of God do not commit sin. Isn't that what some of the holiness crowd believes and teaches? Isn't that what 1Jn 3:9 says? Some of you don't want sinners in your church just like that Baptist minister preached on that video awhile back. If he keeps preaching that same message, he may find himself in sin one day and have to leave the church he resides over. I hope that never happens and that God establishes his heart in grace.
Why don't we try the NT side of that verse that Pastor Keith brought up in Deut 23:21. It is in 2Tim 1:12; There is only (2) places in the NT that mention a vow / Acts 18:18,21:23.
'For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.'
Is a vow you make before the Lord the same as a commitment you make to Him? In making a vow we are required to keep it, what we commit to God as a deposit of faith is what He is able to keep. We can commit our vows to the Lord and He will make sure that we keep them. A vow should be committed to God's trust. The problem with keeping a vow, even if you sware it is to your own hurt, is trying to keep it in the energy of the flesh.
Prov 16:3 says, 'Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.'
If God calls you to make a vow or commitment, you can be sure that He will be able and faithful to do it / 1Thes 5:24. It is better not to make a vow unless God calls you to do it / Eccl 5:5. I do know a man that made a vow of money and was required of the Lord (17) years later to keep that which was vowed. God was faithful to not only supply what was vowed but require it of the one who was called to make the vow.
One thing that we all could commit to the Lord is that our hearts would be established in grace so that we might grow in grace and knowledge of Him. In doing so, that we might know Him in the power of His resurrected life, in the fellowship of His sufferings and be made conformable unto His death / Phil 3:10. That is a big commitment but God is able!