Are Promises Made to be broken?

Many of us have heard the saying, "Promises are made to be broken." Unfortunately, life sometimes makes this feel true. People let us down, commitments slip away, and it can be hard to trust again.

But the Bible offers a different perspective.

Not everyone knows that the New Testament books are not in the order they were written. One of the first to be written was Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. In this letter, Paul shares what is probably the earliest written quote from Jesus in the New Testament:

"Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24, NKJV).

It matters that some of the first recorded words of Jesus in the New Testament were spoken at the Lord's Supper. These words point to His sacrifice, with His body broken and His blood shed for our forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration. The bread and the cup remind us of what Christ has done and of His promise to return and welcome us into His eternal kingdom.

This message was central to the early Christian faith. Even before the Gospels were written, believers spoke about Jesus’ death, resurrection, and promised return. Paul reminded the church of these words because they show the heart of the gospel: God’s saving grace shown through Christ.

Each time we celebrate Communion, we remember the great cost of our salvation. As we share the bread and the cup and take part in the act of humility, we renew our faith in the One who gave Himself for us and look ahead with hope to His return.

The world might say that promises are made to be broken, but God says something different. His greatest promise is found in Jesus Christ: "Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, NKJV).

God has never broken a promise, and He never will.

-Pastor Lim