People, especially most Christians, get so offended when they are called out on something that they are doing that is non-biblical. Sex outside of marriage. Homosexuality. Money/monetary value. The Christian “relativism” attitude (a.k.a. what’s right for you may not be what’s right for me). These are all sensitive topics in our culture.
Before I continue and start to sound all “self-righteous," I want to be the first to admit that I am a sinner. I have even committed a few of the sins mentioned above...more than once (or twice). But I have been troubled in recent weeks with so many of my very close friends and family having the attitude that what the Bible says is wrong for their lifestyle. (It’s one thing to be ignorant of what the Bible says. It’s another to know what it says and know you committed or committing a sin. But it’s quite another animal to know what it says and assume it doesn’t apply to you and your lifestyle.)
As a former English teacher, I like to sometimes think of the Bible as a grammar styles and conventions book. Hang with me...
Why do we have grammar rules? I’ll tell you why: to help us communicate effectively. Some scholars and linguists thought up the rules to help us - to keep us all on the same page. They didn’t do it to irritate us or make sure we get marked off on every grad paper we turned in. The idea of conventions and rules in grammar came from a place of wanting to help English-speaking citizens.
Now, imagine I had a student who put a comma, after, every, single, word, they, wrote. (My fellow English teachers don’t have to stretch their imaginations that much.) Anyway, this poor kid didn’t know the rule. As a fellow English-speaking human (not to mention English teacher), it is my job to show and teach this student the rule - what it says in that grammar book. I would do this to keep the student from looking like a fool in the future and to help her (using a female persona since males usually get the bad rap in English class) communicate effectively.
If that student paid attention to what that grammar book said, she would work to make changes in her writing, although it might be difficult to break the habit since she had been putting commas everywhere for a long time. She would still sometimes do the comma thing, but, when she realized she made a mistake, she’d erase that comma and keep going. But imagine if that student, knowing the rule and why it exists, decided to still, put, a, comma, after, every, word, and, not, take, steps, to, correct, it. Well that’s just foolish and annoying. It not only effects her but everyone who reads her writing. Why did she choose to do this? Did she think that that those comma rules applied to other people but not her? Did she know she should have changed but didn’t want to? Did she not know how?
But of course I’m not talking about a grammar book written by scholars with good intentions. I’m talking about the Bible, the Word of God. He, too, included these rules and guidelines to help us, to keep our lives less chaotic, to keep us from getting hurt or hurting others, to keep us focused on Him and better able to serve Him.
The rules in the Bible weren’t meant for a select few: They are meant for all humankind, especially those who follow Him. You can’t pick and choose which ones were meant for you. It’s like picking and choosing which grammar rule you will decide to follow. Ignoring just one, can, make, you, look, foolish, and, could, cost, you, or, someone, else, something. I also used to believe that the Bible was full of gray area-that it’s all up to interpretation. In the last few years, I’ve actually spent time reading the Bible (instead of just listening to what others tell me about it.) I have learned that most “rules" are hard and fast. They are not left up to interpretation. There’s really one way to read it and apply it.
If you are currently knowingly putting commas after every word, I encourage you to stop. It won't be easy to change that habit. You might not always apply the comma rules perfectly. It will be a difficult transition, and you may need to rely on your Teacher to help you. Furthermore, if a fellow English-speaking friend attempts to enlighten or remind you of what the rules are please respond in kind. That person is simply trying to help you so that you don’t hinder yourself and others. It does no good to get defensive or to believe that guideline doesn’t apply to you. Both reactions are fruitless and a waste of time. Be thankful that they filled you in. Ask them to pray for you as you work on correcting your mistake. Ask God to help you erase it and to break the habit.
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If you are struggling with grammatical or Biblical issues, here are a few resources:
to make a very small, simple blanket. Since is was made of the same material, she didn't even notice a difference! It made her stop crying right away.
. It's so, so cute, and I want it! I put it on my Amazon Wishlist *hint, hint*.
a month ago, I looked forward the new experiences my Mac and I were going to have together. (For those who are clueless about this kind of stuff like I was - and still am to some degree - you can download and edit lots of cool applique designs and embroidery fonts from the Internet.)
