EVERY WORD

EVERY WORD

Friday, June 23, 2017

Matthew [ESV]4:4  But he [Jesus] answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Matthew 12:36-37  I [Jesus] tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

  What we say is of present and eternal significance. Presently, in holding forth the Truth, crediting, honoring and glorifying the author by testifying with “God’s Word says …” instead referencing “The Bible says …” This I wrote of yesterday.

  I’ve discovered another point of our speech. God’s Word rarely refers to the followers of Christ as Christians, whereas we refer to ourselves in this manner commonly. God’s Word refers to the followers of Christ as “in Christ” scores of times, whereas we seldom if ever identify ourselves verbally in this manner. (“in Christ” is in original texts over 120 times.)

  This is an important vocabulary distinction, it being even more so in this era of “Christian” used generically and incorrectly.

  Suggesting a little test: There are people with whom we conversationally commonly use “Christian”. Some are believers, some not, but few or none of them offended or perturbed by the word. Let’s try using “in Christ” in place of Christian and see how they react.

  Then, if wanting more exercise, take your concordance and look up “my name” in the New Testament.

EBB4