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毕业礼中，每一个学生依次举起右手，庄严地宣誓将要诚实和正直地履行他们的职责。新一届的学生会干事们已经就位并准备好在来年为全体学生提供服务了。

然而，有人可能会问：“这样的宣誓仪式是否有错呢？”这个仪式，乃至每一个就职宣誓仪式，是否都违背了耶稣的教导？其实都没有违背；在这里，耶稣指出的是我们要做一个信守诺言的人。基督徒的好见证当中最重要的一个证明就是履行承诺。

作为校牧，我每天都与数十名学生、教师和校工交谈，其中时常有人会邀请我为他们做一些事情。答应说“好的”很容易，然而，记着我承诺要做什么，并且随后去做，却是相当困难的！遗憾的是，有时仍然会有人以“还记得你曾经说过你会……”来作为与我谈话的开场白，这些都是令我感到尴尬的时刻。

不论我们的职业是什么，不论我们与何人谈话，信守诺言是信用的标记。感恩的是，我们的神必定会履行祂的一切应许，而藉着圣灵的帮助，我们也可以更加忠实履行我们所作的承诺。

Each of the students took their turn. They raised their right hand and solemnly swore to carry out their duties with honesty and integrity. Another student association executive team was in place and set to serve the student body for another year.

But the question may be asked, "Was this swearing-in ceremony wrong?" Was it, and is every other oath of office, a violation of Jesus' teaching? No. The point Jesus makes is that we are to be people who keep our word. One of the most important examples of being a Christian witness is the matter of keeping promises.

As a chaplain, I speak to ­dozens of students, faculty, and staff each day. Often I am asked or invited to do things. The easy part is to say "Yes." Remembering what I promised and then following up on it is the hard part! Unfortunately, I still have cringeworthy moments when someone begins a sentence with "Remember when you said you would . . ."

Regardless of our occupation and regardless of whom we are speaking to, being true to our word is a mark of faithfulness. Thankfully, our God is always faithful to his promises, and with the help of the Holy Spirit we too may grow in being faithful to the promises and commitments we make.