A SPIRITUAL VOCABULARY

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Corinthians 2:12-13, NKJV). " . . . which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" (NASB). In the Kingdom of God, communication is essential. It has pleased the Lord "by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor 1:21). The proclamation of a message is the appointed means of bringing people to participate in God's great salvation. Faith, after all, does come by "hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom 10:17). When the Lord Jesus began His ministry, He did so by preaching. In a home town synagogue, He affirmed that He had come to fulfill the words of Isaiah. "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To PREACH the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To PROCLAIM liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To PROCLAIM the acceptable year of the LORD" (Luke 4:18-9). We are apprized in our text that a spiritual message must be in spiritual words; that a message from God is given in the words of God. You cannot deliver the message of God in words that man's wisdom teaches. Spiritual thoughts can only be effectively delivered with spiritual words. Here is an aspect of the kingdom where, in my judgment, much improvement could be realized. When speaking of the things of God, it is imperative that we avoid sectarian nomenclature and use the terms found in Scripture. When Jesus described His ministry, He did so in words of Scripture. The Apostles also spoke in this manner, employing the language of Scripture to make known Divine provision. The Divine vocabulary was developed under Moses and the Prophets. Key terms like "sacrifice," "offering," "atonement," "altar," "washing," etc., were introduced under the Law and expounded under the Gospel. Think of words like "justification," "sanctification," "redemption," and "reconciliation." They are "spiritual words," invested with transforming significance. Life in Christ Jesus is also described with key words, given by the Holy Spirit: "risen," "walking in the Spirit," "living by faith," "communion of the Holy Spirit," and "fellowship of God's Son." These are all descriptive of our new life. Believers are called "saved," "strangers and pilgrims," "sons of God," "salt," and "light." All of these terms are impregnated with life, and are used by the Holy Spirit to affect the will of God within us. One has referred to using them as speaking of Bible things with Bible words. It is unfortunate that men have introduced differing vocabularies to describe, what they say, is the work of God. These divergent nomenclatures have become the occasion of judging and division in the body of Christ. Without going into these various sets of humanly-devised theological terms, I encourage our readers to make a practice of employing Scriptural language to describe Scriptural experiences. If the experience is not Scriptural, it is unworthy of mentioning. If the language describing it is unscriptural, it will not convey a spiritual meaning. Let all take serious heed to the text: "which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." By so doing, you will be a "workman that does not need to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). PRAYER POINT: Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you. I want to glorify You in how I speak of spiritual things.

-- MONDAY: JESUS HAS BEEN GLORIFIED --