Little Words

Most everyone knows that words are powerful. Much good and much evil have been done with words alone. Strangely enough, often times it is not the long, fancy, $3 words that have the most effect, but rather the monosyllabic words (ever wonder why monosyllabic has so many syllables?) -- words like LOVE, GRACE, HATE, FOOL, SHAME, CARE. These are powerful words in themselves, and when placed in context of environment and humanity, they have the power to build up, restore, or tear down and destroy.

As I finish my reading through Leviticus, I ran across two little words, that in scripture are probably some of the most powerful. The first one is only two letters long, but has tremendous impact on what is being said in the context: "IF." There are many in evangelical circles that, I believe, misuse much of the Old Testament promises. They are quick to claim promises appropriated to the Hebrew people alone. However, they ignore this little word. This word makes the temporal blessings conditional, and suggests that there is a flip side-- which there is. Here is a common example, "If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, ..." (Leviticus 26:3). The proceeding words describe blessings that will be bestowed as a result. Now which commands does this refer to? ALL of them (there's another powerful little word that I won't get into). The flip-side if they do not get them ALL result in curses that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

The second word happens to be one of my favorite words in the Bible. The word "BUT" is a conjunction that draws a contrast. In this passage, it is used in two significant ways, the first is seen in verse 14 (linked above to ALL). It is connected to the first little word, and it draws the contrast that IF they do not follow ALL the commands they will be cursed. The usage I want to zero in on, however, is in verse 40 (used in the NIV, but not NAS). After describing the plagues and destruction that comes as a result failing to follow ALL of the commandments, God gives GRACE. It basically says that even if you fail miserably and fall short of the perfect standard of the Law, you can start all over if you confess to Him and admit that you can't do it on your own. Some of my favorite uses of this word are found in the New Testament that carry much of the same connotation: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23), and "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"BUT" doesn't leave us in our sin; "BUT" shows that God lavishes out the grace and mercy that apart from His perfect love, we would never be able to enjoy relationship with a Holy God. Because of little words we are set FREE. Because of this little word, we can enjoy ETERNAL blessings that are not conditioned on our performance.

May you enjoy the goodness of the Lord today!