If you were to talk to most of my school teachers, professors, tutors and finally, my wife Monica, you would find out that English as a language and the written word are NOT some of my best attributes. Go figure!
Even still, as I prepare for my next preaching topic, I am drawn to the mighty COMMA, well at least the presence of powerful punctuation when we read scripture. Honestly, there is so much power in a comma. Track with me here…
“Punctuation fills our writing with silent intonation. We pause, stop, emphasize, or question using a comma, a period, an exclamation point or a question mark. Correct punctuation adds clarity and precision to writing; it allows the writer to stop, pause, or give emphasis to certain parts of the sentence.”
In our current series, we are looking at scriptures “In Context.” I have been challenged by a passage of scripture for a very long time now: 1 Corinthians 10:13. If you want to know more about this, you will need to be at church this Sunday, Father’s Day (or go back and listen to it on our YouTube channel). It is safe to say that not only is there context needed here but, because of a COMMA, I think we can place more emphasis on the correct interpretation of this scripture.
Here are a few fun phrases that are so easy to misinterpret if we lack the context and the punctuation:
#1: “Let’s eat Grandma”, as opposed to, “Let’s eat, Grandma.”
#2: “I find inspiration in cooking my family and my dog”, as opposed to, “I find inspiration in cooking, my family, and my dog.”
And finally,
#3: “A woman without her man is nothing,” is very different than, “A woman: without her, man is nothing.” (SOURCE: Curtis Newbold / The Visual Communication Guy)
Please, no hate mail for the last one!
The point is this: we need to read scripture carefully and with clarity - that includes punctuation. Here are a couple of examples from scripture…
In John 19:30, Jesus said, “It is finished.” The period makes it very clear that at this moment, and not after, and with no other sacrifice needed, one way to the Father and forgiveness was created. It was now complete, period. No more work was needed to make it happen; we just need to believe.
In Romans 12: 3 -8, every time a gift is mentioned, it does not end with a finishing period but, instead, there is a call by the semicolon to use it. Your uniqueness and gifting in the body are for those around you and not to be left unused. You will be such a blessing to others when you live the actions of the semicolon.
And finally, I want to leave you with a punctuation gemstone, and one of my favourites:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
As you read your Bible today, and every day; make sure to look for the power of the punctuation. It will make a difference in how you understand and live out the scriptures, helping to create the richness of truly understanding the love God has for you in your daily life!
(the sound you just heard was the drop of the pen!!!!) (PERIOD)
Looking forward to sharing with you on Sunday,
Dave Hancock
THIS SUNDAY
SUNDAY, JUNE 18 @ 10am
IN CONTEXT
1 Corinthians 10:13
Dave Hancock
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10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+Church Online)