Vitriol

I often listen to the "Rise Guys" sports talk show on the way into work. Recently, a caller was rewarded for using the word "vitriol" correctly in regards to the bitter and caustic press that has been targeted toward NFL quarterback Bret Favre. What sparked my imagination about this nod to a sophisticated vocabulary was the emphasis of "using the word correctly." It’s no secret that I have an ardent appreciation for a well turned phrase or an articulate and pithy adjective that brings life and meaning to the spoken or written word. I wholeheartedly believe that the languages and cultures of the Bible were orchestrated by the hand of God so that His will could be fully expressed. Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek are languages that are image driven and thus become eloquent by their simplicity and discerning by the depth of their denotation. Because the Word of God is tightly packed with meaning to be discovered it challenges us with the task to "use the Word correctly."

Now, don’t get me wrong… I don’t mean the twisted banter I’ve heard from some who wish to promote their own theological slant by excising sound bytes from Paul claiming one should "rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)." However, said passage is a wonderful example of exactly what I mean. Paul uses the Greek word "orthotomeo" translated "divide" but literally means "to cut straight." Paul as a rabbinical student would have naturally thought of such passages as Proverbs 3:6, that state, "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." His exhortation to Timothy is to become an "instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work (v.21)." That is, to "cut straight" the word of truth is to let God be the final word as we make every effort to discern His will and become malleable to the lead of His Spirit. Hymenaeus and Philetus according to Paul "had wandered away from the truth (v.18)." Their paths were obviously not the straight and narrow road of Jesus.

Last Sunday I told you about our hiking chatter when after an instructor had told her students all the ways they could determine where they were on the trail, I piped up and said, "Or you can just stay on the trail." What I didn’t mention is that the instructor did agree with me that the people that get lost while hiking are the people who wander off the trail. Stay on the trail… rightly divide… keep your eyes upon Jesus and acknowledge Him in all your ways and he WILL make your path straight! And may our earnest prayer be always, "Lord give me wisdom to use your Word correctly!" -DAN