Wonderful Words

As someone who has done his fair share of writing over the years, I recognize that words have meanings. The other night my wife and I were talking, and I said something strange because I was thinking from an unusual perspective. I pointed out to her that I sometimes think in terms of roots of words. She was speechless.

Some words are naturally negative. Storm. Cancer. Taxes. Trouble. Obey. Death. Snake. Ravens. Naturally not all words that may have negative connotations to one person will be that way to another. Some of it may depend on our life experiences and perspectives.

Words that are positive are perhaps more universal. Smile. Treasure. Vacation. Baby. Flower. Heaven. Bacon. I suppose the word “bacon” does not do much for a nutritionist or vegetarian. However, for the average person, the scent and taste of bacon is a wonderful thing. I understand that there is such a thing as bacon-flavored dental floss and bacon-scented car air fresheners. I think I will stick to eating it in moderation on occasion. Bacon is a blessing. But it pales in comparison to other very positive words found in John 14 as Jesus prepares his disciples for what is ahead. Love. Helper. Forever. Live. Peace.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17). These words of our Lord Jesus can be seen as positive and negative. “If” is a big little word. In scripture, sometimes “if” can have the same meaning as “since”. That is not always the case. Disciples then and now are faced with a question. “Do I really love Jesus”? If we do love Jesus, we will live in obedience to him. “Obedience” is one of those words that are negative to most children. Disobedience tends to be more pleasurable and less restrictive. Since God loves us, he has designed life to bring blessing and protection when we obey his commands. That may involve denying oneself. However, doing things God’s way is always best for us.

Right after his statement connecting love for him and obedience, he offers hope and help. Perhaps he saw in the expressions of his disciples the classic question of a child — “Do I have to”? Help in our challenge to obey God would be coming in the third person of the Trinity. The Advocate would come alongside us and not only help us but always be with us. Even when the lies of Satan tempt us to rebel and disobey, the Spirit of Truth can set us straight. The sad thing is that most of the world cannot have the Spirit because they do not know him. We should not be surprised at how messed up, evil, and troubled the world is. That is the natural result of God not being with them; or, better yet, in them. In an Old Testament way, the Holy Spirit was with those 11 followers of Jesus. Soon he would be dwelling in them and filling them in a powerful way. Today, as we submit to the Holy Spirit and allow him to control us, his fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) is life changing. He helps us to obey God and therefore be blessed. What would happen if Christians spent each day recognizing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in and directing us?

Jesus offers more good news. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (18-21). “Orphan” is one of those negative words. Thankfully, “adoption” is a positive word and describes what God does for us through Jesus. The disciples knew that Jesus was about to leave them, although there was still some confusion as to what would take place and why. Jesus would die but then he would live. That resurrection life would provide for us eternal life as well. There is no more positive word than “resurrection.” Jesus is the resurrection and the life. There is no better state than eternal life with God.

Jesus talks about this incredible connection. One day soon, his disciples would understand how Jesus is in the Father. Followers of Jesus are in him, and he is in them. Therefore, we are in and with the Father. Jesus came as that connecting bridge so we would not be separated from God. No wonder Jesus repeats the idea of keeping his commands as evidence that we love him. Is it not the least we can do? We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Jesus shows us the way by his sacrifice. Knowing we are in him and in his love should make obedience a blessing. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). They are not only a burden, but they are given so that we can obey because he loves us and wants what is best for us. In response to a question from the other Judas, Jesus reiterates this vital theme. “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (23). His powerful presence enables us to love and obey. It is all interrelated, just as a true believer is connected with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Now those are some positive, wonderful words.