Those of you who know me know that I am a grammarian; that is, I enjoy grammar. Maybe it's my OCD-ish tendencies, but I enjoy making things grammatically correct--whether it be spelling, punctuation, or syntax. And I thoroughly enjoy reading things that are grammatically correct; they are quite beautiful to the ear. Perhaps that is why some of us enjoy the KJV so much: our ears can tell the difference between proper English and every-day English. Anyway, I digress. I've been thinking about how many people don't appreciate grammar, and pondering why they should appreciate it. I mean, I enjoy it so much that I've just taken a job editing a 600+ page book--for the fun of it! Now, I don't expect everyone out there to enjoy something like that. I don't even expect you to understand why some of us do enjoy it. But I think we should all, as believers, appreciate the the grammar in Scripture just a little bit more.

I've been thinking, for instance, of Philippians 4:13. It's a simple verse, really; but it says so much:

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Now think of the syntax: it's a simple sentence; it has one verb, one subject, one object, and one very simple adverbial explanation of how those words are related to each other.

The subject is "I." Who can do all things through Christ? I can. Not my friends, my pastor, my parents, but me. I myself have the ability through Christ to do all things. I don't have to rely on another person to accomplish things; Christ alone gives me what I need to do His will.

The verb is "can do." This verse uses an action verb, indicating that I can not sit idly by, waiting for something to happen. I must DO it myself. Christ gives us the strength that we need so we can actively do what He calls us to do. We can not take advantage of the strength He offers us if we are not actively living for Him.

The object is "all things." That means we can do ALL THINGS. No exceptions. There is nothing that Christ calls us to do that we are not able to do through Him. I can do everything He asks of me, because He enables me with His strength.

The correlatory phrase in this verse is "through Christ which strengtheneth me." I (speaking of myself) can do (actively) all things (without exception) because Christ strengthens me. He is the only enabler for me. There is no other way to accomplish what He asks of us. He gives us His strength as we need it, and we are able to fulfill His will within our lives. And there is no way that I can do anything He asks without the strength He gives. He is our Enabler. He is the One who gives us life and then sustains that life. He is the One who calls us to do things for Him and then provides what we need to do those things.

He is our Strength.

Maybe this is why we are friends. We share a love for grammar.:) Thankyou both for the plug and for the much-needed encouragement.

Your journal is interesting.
" Have a nice day na ja! Miss U "
Bye
Bela


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