The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
January 5, 2003
In
This Issue:
The
Importance of Words
THE IMPORTANCE OF WORDS
Words are the stuff language is made of. They are the vehicles of thought, the structural blocks of communication. They can turn away wrath or stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Deceitful words are sometimes smoother than butter (Ps. 55:21), deceiving the hearts of the simple (Rom.16:18). Careless and unguarded speech gets people into trouble. It is better to be a man of few words than to sin through a multitude of words (Pro. 10: 19, Eccl. 5:2, 3). Words of truth give light (Ps. 119:130), and the words of the wise are like goads and nails which urge obedience to God and fasten securely our hope and faith. Empty words are vain and, in some cases, profane. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Ps. 19:14).
God chose the words used in the Scriptures. He gave names to people and sometimes changed their names to convey a message. In expressing His will to us and giving His commandments to us, He used the words He chose because they conveyed the message He wanted to deliver. Jesus was so named because He is the Savior or Deliverer. He was called Christ because He is the Messiah, the anointed One. Every word in the Lord's commands is significant. "With the mouth confession is made unto salvation" tells us that we must express our faith with words and that such confession is a part of God's plan of salvation since it is unto salvation. When God commanded that people believe and be baptized, He coupled faith and baptism (immersion, not pouring or sprinkling) for salvation. Men have fought against this simple truth with every stratagem they can conceive, but God meant what He said. When teachers of God's word point out that the way of salvation is for all, everyone, whosoever and all men everywhere they are using words that God chose to declare who can be saved.
Since all words have meaning and significance, it is essential that we understand the meanings of words in order to understand the message and to know what to do (I Cor. 14:9-11). Teachers must use understandable words, and hearers must ask about things they did not hear well or did not understand, if teaching is to be accomplished. Even simple words like meet, let, prevent, hell and others may be confusing if one does not recognize that they have more than one meaning. The language of the Scriptures is not intended to be vague, but to be clear and direct in thought.
Finally, our words are important - even enough to justify or condemn us (Matt. 12:37). We must be careful about what we say and how we say it. We must use sound words that cannot be condemned (Titus 2:8). We must speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). We must be swift to hear and slow to speak, to give proper thought as to whether to speak and what to say. Let us never underestimate the power and importance of words.
--Gilbert Alexander, 12-15-02