May 26, 1998
When receiving entries for a writing contest, I was startled by the title on one manuscript: “I AM A WORD.” It was entered in a category asking writers to explain why they thought they should be writers.
We use words to communicate ideas, inform, teach, inspire and encourage. We use words to express our sense of personal identity, to tell others who we are, how we think and what is important to us.
Words are symbols for ideas or things. Using symbols has some risk for confusion because the listener may picture something different than what the speaker is trying to convey.
For instance, when we hear “word” we think of a collection of letters (written or spoken) that represent something. But when the ancient Greeks used “word” (or “logos” in their language) they had a different idea. For them, logos represented the basic element or “soul” of the universe, an undefinable reasoning or wisdom that controlled all things and could express itself in some understandable way. For that reason, “logos” is translated into English as “speech” or “word.”
People in the Western world usually avoid thinking in abstract terms. We are far more apt to use concrete words. For instance, if I say, “I am a woman.” my hearers would agree. If I say, “I am a word,” they might raise their eyebrows and mutter, “Oh sure, and what does that mean?”
My point? Language changes have limited our understanding of who Jesus is and what He said about Himself. John’s gospel begins with: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John is referring to Jesus as “the Logos” or “the Word.”
In the Greek culture where He was born, “logos” or “word” was a powerful expression of an infinite being. By using this term, John knew his readers would make some connections. For the Jew, the Old Testament was God’s written expression of His revelation to them. Now John is saying that Jesus is the living expression of a Being who is the “soul of the universe,” God Himself. He once revealed Himself to Israel and that revelation was recorded in printed form. Now He is revealing Himself in a human body to all who will accept Him.
Those who knew the Scriptures understood that God speaks. Now His expression was through a living man, Jesus Christ. When Jesus spoke, because He was “logos”His words were God’s words.
Does this heady stuff make any difference? Is it important today? Only if it is true. If Jesus Christ is God in human flesh, we must consider Him. What is God communicating to us through Him? Why are His words important? What is the message of His life?
If our universe is closed, God could not come in. However, Jesus said, “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.” In a world where “logos” can inhabit a human body and interact with people, it is possible to know God.
The Bible affirms that Jesus is more than a good man, more than a teacher or a prophet. His sinless life of doing good, and His death and resurrection prove He is more than mere human. He claimed to be God incarnate.
We need to consider what this means for us. If we believe what He said about Himself and take Him up on His offer of forgiveness and eternal life, He promises that we will enter into a relationship to One we can know personally, not just as a vague entity the Greeks called “the soul of the universe” but God Himself.
Showing posts with label words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label words. Show all posts
Monday, June 5, 2017
Friday, July 25, 2014
How can ‘bad’ be ‘good’? .................. Parables 148
English teachers, cross-word puzzle buffs, and anyone who takes notice of words is perplexed, even annoyed, at twists in current language usage. “Cool” means anything but “cold” and “fat chance” and “slim chance” both mean the same thing. Even “bad” now means “good!”
Sometimes I hear my family use words that don’t seem to fit their context but when I ask what they mean, I discover they are “right on” and I am “out-of-date.” I’ve also discovered that dictionary publishers have large research staffs dedicated to the study of current word usage, which in turn dictates the meaning that is put into the next dictionary. Word meanings fluctuate according to time and culture. Just a subtle change in how, when, or why any word is said, can begin a trend leading to a new edition of Websters. Keeping current is a challenge.
This constant flux in meanings is not a new phenomena. In fact, it is as old as the Bible. Words used in Scripture must be studied with some of the above criteria in mind. Bible students sometimes interpret scripture with present word usage, failing to research how the word was used when Scripture was written. Little wonder people differ in their interpretation of the Bible!
For example, sometimes ‘bad” means “good” depending on one’s perspective. More precisely, some things we avoid as ‘bad” may be very important for us to experience, yet some things we think of as “good” might not be “good” according to God. Apply that to the or difficulties in life. The New Testament calls them trials. We call them anything from nuisances to calamities, and we certainly don’t rub our hands in happy anticipation when we see trouble coming. But God says we should. In fact, we are to “consider it pure joy” when we have trials, and the person enduring trials is blessed! (See James, chapter 1). According to God’s definition, trials test our faith and develop our character. They are part of a Christians preparation for eternity. Therefore what we call “bad,” God says can be “good,” especially from an eternal perspective.
One thing to note, “considering the trial pure joy” does not mean putting on a smile and tying to pretend pain does not exist. God acknowledges our pain. However, the Lord may not intervene and remove it. Instead, He may opt to leave it there and use it for His eternal purpose. In any case, He makes the outcome “good.” In other words, we don’t so much re-write the dictionary definition of “bad” or “good” as we re-work our responses according to faith.
Christ set the example. The Bible says that He endured His most severe trial by “entrusting Himself to the Father.” He was more concerned with eternal purpose than temporary comfort. If we are going to be joyful in trials, we also must trust the Lord, no matter what happens. He promises to work all things, even the “bad” together for “good” in our lives (Romans 8:28).
Nearly anyone can display joy when they are comfortable, but when life hands us lemons, what we do with them will reveal what we consider “good” or “bad.” An angry, negative, resentful response is the average view of a lemon. It is a sour thing, but if Jesus is there, we can have the same responses to life’s lemons as He did because His power is available to us. He supplies the sweetener and we can make lemonade!
The anticipation that God will bring good from a tough situation can keep our focus on the promised outcome, not on the painful or unpleasant aspect of that situation. Anticipation comes from sure knowledge of who He is, recognition of His mighty power, and total trust in Him. Words and the way they are used will change with the times, but when we read the Word of God, with faith, “bad” really can be “good.”
Sometimes I hear my family use words that don’t seem to fit their context but when I ask what they mean, I discover they are “right on” and I am “out-of-date.” I’ve also discovered that dictionary publishers have large research staffs dedicated to the study of current word usage, which in turn dictates the meaning that is put into the next dictionary. Word meanings fluctuate according to time and culture. Just a subtle change in how, when, or why any word is said, can begin a trend leading to a new edition of Websters. Keeping current is a challenge.
This constant flux in meanings is not a new phenomena. In fact, it is as old as the Bible. Words used in Scripture must be studied with some of the above criteria in mind. Bible students sometimes interpret scripture with present word usage, failing to research how the word was used when Scripture was written. Little wonder people differ in their interpretation of the Bible!
For example, sometimes ‘bad” means “good” depending on one’s perspective. More precisely, some things we avoid as ‘bad” may be very important for us to experience, yet some things we think of as “good” might not be “good” according to God. Apply that to the or difficulties in life. The New Testament calls them trials. We call them anything from nuisances to calamities, and we certainly don’t rub our hands in happy anticipation when we see trouble coming. But God says we should. In fact, we are to “consider it pure joy” when we have trials, and the person enduring trials is blessed! (See James, chapter 1). According to God’s definition, trials test our faith and develop our character. They are part of a Christians preparation for eternity. Therefore what we call “bad,” God says can be “good,” especially from an eternal perspective.
One thing to note, “considering the trial pure joy” does not mean putting on a smile and tying to pretend pain does not exist. God acknowledges our pain. However, the Lord may not intervene and remove it. Instead, He may opt to leave it there and use it for His eternal purpose. In any case, He makes the outcome “good.” In other words, we don’t so much re-write the dictionary definition of “bad” or “good” as we re-work our responses according to faith.
Christ set the example. The Bible says that He endured His most severe trial by “entrusting Himself to the Father.” He was more concerned with eternal purpose than temporary comfort. If we are going to be joyful in trials, we also must trust the Lord, no matter what happens. He promises to work all things, even the “bad” together for “good” in our lives (Romans 8:28).
Nearly anyone can display joy when they are comfortable, but when life hands us lemons, what we do with them will reveal what we consider “good” or “bad.” An angry, negative, resentful response is the average view of a lemon. It is a sour thing, but if Jesus is there, we can have the same responses to life’s lemons as He did because His power is available to us. He supplies the sweetener and we can make lemonade!
The anticipation that God will bring good from a tough situation can keep our focus on the promised outcome, not on the painful or unpleasant aspect of that situation. Anticipation comes from sure knowledge of who He is, recognition of His mighty power, and total trust in Him. Words and the way they are used will change with the times, but when we read the Word of God, with faith, “bad” really can be “good.”
Monday, May 12, 2014
Power of Words ............................ Parables 116
One picture may be worth a thousand words but only cartoonists, artists and photographers grab a camera or a paintbrush more often than a dictionary.
Words communicate our desires, hopes, dreams, wisdom and even our foolishness. Words for bridges across time, miles and silence. Words define, interpret, command, inspire, describe, infuriate, soothe, inform, and confuse. Words change the way we think and act.
Of course I don’t mean the assortment of words arranged alphabetically in a dictionary like the list of ingredients in a cake. Nor do I mean the AE, AAL, NOO, ARAR, TI, XU, PHAT, VAIR, ARUMS, COL, LODED, VELA oddities used by Scrabble players and crossword puzzle addicts.
Before they stir us, words must be properly stirred together, the right words in the right order and proportions. Then they motivate our mind and emotions -- and we buy, sell, trade, weep, laugh, or angrily ball up the paper they are written on and throw the words in a trash can.
And words are definitely the tools of those who motivate change. Hitler moved his nation to war -- with words. Martin Luther King Jr. moved his race to strive for equality -- with words. Even children use words to change the mind of mom or dad, “Buy me a candy bar, pleeeese?” or “I’ll die if I can’t have the car Friday night!”
When used for change, the power of words is not so much in themselves and what they say, but in the teamwork between words and their author. The Word of God is a dynamic example. What He says, in teamwork with His Spirit, makes things happen.
Consider creation. “Then God said . . . ” and it happened. “He spoke and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast.” The same power is used to sustain creation: “He upholds all things by the WORD of His power . . . ”
Scripture says that the WORD of God cannot be silenced, ended, changed, or destroyed. It is indestructible and eternal.
Scripture also says that, “In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God . . . ” God and His WORD are the same thing therefore the creative force was not just words but the God who spoke them.
If that were not enough to comprehend, Scripture also says, “The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us.” It . . . or rather He, walked, talked, ate, and slept. He spoke “peace be still” and silenced storms. He whispered “be healed” and restored the sick and afflicted. He shouted “come forth” and men rose out of their coffins and tombs. No wonder the officers sent to arrest Him came back empty-handed with: “Never a man spoke like this man!”
Jesus claimed, “The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.” That explains why His words powerfully convicted and convinced many who heard them. “He spoke these words and many believed . . . ”
More than any other combination of words ever written, God’s WORD has power to change lives, power because it is more than a written down WORD for us to read . . . It is a living WORD - Jesus Christ, who gives life to all who listen and believe.
Words communicate our desires, hopes, dreams, wisdom and even our foolishness. Words for bridges across time, miles and silence. Words define, interpret, command, inspire, describe, infuriate, soothe, inform, and confuse. Words change the way we think and act.
Of course I don’t mean the assortment of words arranged alphabetically in a dictionary like the list of ingredients in a cake. Nor do I mean the AE, AAL, NOO, ARAR, TI, XU, PHAT, VAIR, ARUMS, COL, LODED, VELA oddities used by Scrabble players and crossword puzzle addicts.
Before they stir us, words must be properly stirred together, the right words in the right order and proportions. Then they motivate our mind and emotions -- and we buy, sell, trade, weep, laugh, or angrily ball up the paper they are written on and throw the words in a trash can.
And words are definitely the tools of those who motivate change. Hitler moved his nation to war -- with words. Martin Luther King Jr. moved his race to strive for equality -- with words. Even children use words to change the mind of mom or dad, “Buy me a candy bar, pleeeese?” or “I’ll die if I can’t have the car Friday night!”
When used for change, the power of words is not so much in themselves and what they say, but in the teamwork between words and their author. The Word of God is a dynamic example. What He says, in teamwork with His Spirit, makes things happen.
Consider creation. “Then God said . . . ” and it happened. “He spoke and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast.” The same power is used to sustain creation: “He upholds all things by the WORD of His power . . . ”
Scripture says that the WORD of God cannot be silenced, ended, changed, or destroyed. It is indestructible and eternal.
Scripture also says that, “In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God . . . ” God and His WORD are the same thing therefore the creative force was not just words but the God who spoke them.
If that were not enough to comprehend, Scripture also says, “The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us.” It . . . or rather He, walked, talked, ate, and slept. He spoke “peace be still” and silenced storms. He whispered “be healed” and restored the sick and afflicted. He shouted “come forth” and men rose out of their coffins and tombs. No wonder the officers sent to arrest Him came back empty-handed with: “Never a man spoke like this man!”
Jesus claimed, “The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.” That explains why His words powerfully convicted and convinced many who heard them. “He spoke these words and many believed . . . ”
More than any other combination of words ever written, God’s WORD has power to change lives, power because it is more than a written down WORD for us to read . . . It is a living WORD - Jesus Christ, who gives life to all who listen and believe.
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