WORDS AND WAYS July 9, 2020

This is an interesting day to talk about speech and manners.  A trending sensational news is that of an international kababayan celebrity who uttered or posted on facebook some choice swear words in the local language which drew flak from many online, including no less than our former Senate President.  And in the office commute today too, the topic on proper words and the proper audience for them was raised, which mentioned that work and performance may be affected too, if our tongue is not managed well.

The Word today is on the first epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians chapter 15.  He started this part of his letter by reiterating in written language regarding Jesus Christ’s redemptive ministry while alive, and then His crucifixion and later resurrection and ascension.  It seemed that the apostle laid the groundwork whereby no fake news or made up stories should develop among the brethren and new converts, as they embraced the faith and GOD’s gift of salvation.  Recognizing that during his time, the religious leaders of Judaism had disagreements regarding what happens after death, whether there is a resurrection and what happens to the dead person in it, the apostle also clarified what Jesus Christ has taught.  Yes, indeed, there is resurrection, and that as first born among those He redeemed, Jesus had shown us the way.

The apostle further magnified Jesus Christ’s glorious sacrifice by saying that unlike our first human father’s disobedience which led many to physical and spiritual death, and spiritual separation from GOD, in Jesus Christ’s obedience we have resurrection from the deaths of our souls due to sin, and resurrection of our physical bodies, which will grow old and decay, to a life everlasting.  And the apostle emphasized that this is our hope, because even if present life is all hardship and suffering, and there is no end to our troubles, anxieties and difficulties, if we put our trust on Christ and the salvation and eternal life He freely delivered unto us, all suffering and even death are nothing because they will be overcome and destroyed at His second coming and revelation.

The latter part of the chapter discussed the wisdom behind what will happen to the dead person after this physical life.  The apostle rightly stated that during physical life, we have organic bodies.  But in eternity, we will be changed into a form that conforms to the condition necessary for it.  He mentioned that there are earthly bodies like ours, and there are heavenly bodies like the stars in the heavens.  I believe there is no dissonance here between one secular philosopher’s view that we are made up of the stuff of stars.  Yes, indeed, science has proven that the same chemical elements found and observed in other planets and stars and even asteroids and meteors in space, are found in our physical bodies.  Yet, faith in its eyes that see beyond the material, has shown us that in GOD’s infinite wisdom, our physical organic bodies are unique, not only from that of the stars and planets, but from animals and plants, and even from each other owing to the uniqueness of each of our genetic makeups.

One verse stood out for me though, and it is that in verse 33 which says; “Be not deceived: evil communication corrupts good manners.”  By the way, I mispronounced the NIV translation of this when I was much younger and had a limited vocabulary, which states: “Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character.”  I realized that in the translations themselves, there are inconsistencies and changes in meanings, definitely an example of what it is to not diligently maintain good communication.  In the earlier KJV four hundred years ago, what the apostle was translated as saying is that evil speaking or ill-spoken words destroy whatever decency or semblance of professionalism and virtue a person may have.  I concur with this because one famous personality even said that if a fool and ignorant person keeps silent, he is deemed wise, while if one keeps on talking, even if that person is indeed smart, others will feel the person a bore and see him as ignorant and proud.  The NIV translation though, did away with the word and communication part and just focused on the company or the group or the crowd a person has with him and who influence his way of thinking and doing, thereby totally changing the meaning of the verse.

I think this is the heart of the whole chapter.  You see, as what our Lord Himself said, that from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  What we believe in, our principles and philosophies, and our true character are discerned both by what we say and how we say them.  How we communicate with others, how we convey our ideas, how we express our emotions, say a lot about the kind of person we are, and about the kind of breeding we grew up in.  In other words, good manners, whether we have them or not, or lack some, will ultimately be exposed by the words we speak.  And it has nothing to do with our levels of education or social and financial standing in life.  On the other hand, the company we keep, the friends and associates we are always exposed to, the social media and internet sites we always patronize and spend time in, the books we read, and the shows we watch affect our way of thinking, and ultimately affect our characters too.

These things are hard to swallow, especially if one believes that they grew up right, and that they always have their best interests in mind.  It is too burdensome to always be considerate of other people, for fallible human that we are, many take advantage of that so that the always-nice person ultimately becomes a doormat. 

But the apostle encouraged us to not give up in our struggle to do right, to speak well and to act properly, though.  The last verse says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Indeed, speaking well and doing right are the highest demands of humane living, but as GOD’s people we believe and know that no effort is ever wasted in the sight of GOD.  It may be a thankless life, and we may often be misunderstood, bashed, trolled, taunted, harassed, insulted, abused, slandered, persecuted, demeaned or belittled, but we should never give up.  Truly, however little or however much, our words and ways count a lot, not only now, but for all eternity.