THERE IS GLORY IN MY SOUL What does the word glory mean to you? In dictionary, glory is used in many contexts and it isnt until definition #6 that I find an appropriate definition for glory in my soul, an that is: a state of absolute happiness, gratification, contentment, etc. when one word can be used in so many contexts, its easy to see why many consider English the most difficult language to learn! Thats not even talking about homonyms, words that sound alike but have different meanings! Then there is the cultural changes that make a word normal for one generation but politically or socially incorrect in another. Often, in Christian communities, an outsider or a new believer will hear many confusing terms. Even within various denominations of Christianity words and phrases, not common to secular language, are used to express certain feelings or experiences. When witnessing to non-Christians, it is essential to first find common ground - speak colloquial language so youre neither speaking down to them nor speaking over their heads! The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. (Proverbs 10:31-32 NLT). Why is it so hard to express spiritual matters in common use language? During the Dark Ages, a time when little progress happened in the world and only priests were allowed to read Scriptures, sermons were preached in Latin, a language used only by the well-educated elite! Many of the ordinary villagers who attended mass just followed along without really understanding a word spoken; this was a means of controlling the uneducated, of maintaining fear and respect for the priesthood all the way up to the pope! But the reasons for using obtuse terms now is much more complicated. After all, in first world countries most people have access to education, books, Bibles, resources to answer their questions. In fact, individual study and critical analysis of doctrines is encouraged in MOST denominations today! The Bible itself says, Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV). But people of various religions, even of non-religious social groups, tend to form pet phrases and a type of language that maintains a certain mysterious quality of the organization. Whether deliberately or out of necessity to explain their peculiar beliefs, unique communications are common for secret groups, like lodges or fraternities and sororities. But as Christians, if we want to share the glory, the joy of belonging to Jesus, of having our sins forgiven, of having eternal life, we must be able to tell others in words they can understand. My Jeanne
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 12:52:44 +0000
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