The difficulty foreigners have in learning American English is greatly
complicated by our tendency to try to simplify long words or phrases by
abbreviation, acronyms or slang. Thus we add NATO (North Atlantic Treaty
Organization) PERK (perquisite) PAD (home/place to hangout) TNT
(trinitrotoluene) to an already huge vernacular. Natives instantly understand BLT
(bacon, lettuce and tomato) APB (all-points bulletin) DOC (physician or
Department of Commerce) and hundreds of other terms. However, for some the
simplified adds a whole new layer of vocabulary for new learners of English.
In my mother’s generation an atom was thought to be the smallest form of
matter. Then along came the electronic microscope and scientists discovered
protons, neutrons, quarks and beyond. Almost every culture also tries to simplify
its language and sometimes discovers that although it does streamline
conversation, it can also confuse and frustrate people.
Jesus Christ simplified God’s commandments when He said that all of them
could be condensed into the two greatest ones. Love God with all your heart, soul,
mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself (Mk 12:30-31) (Lk 10:27).
However, these two have a multitude of applications. Loving God has many
facets: Obeying (2 Jo 6) Praising (Lk 19:39) (2 Cor 1:3) Trusting (Rom 4:5)
Studying (2 Tim 2:15) Sacrificing (1 Pe 2:6) and a whole host of others.
When we think about loving our neighbors as ourselves, we might find our
own spiritual electronic microscope. Jesus established some very high standards in
the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5, 6, 7) and through the parable of the Good
Samaritan (Lk 10:30-37). He also taught many more lessons in the writings of the
Apostles as given through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Jo 16:13-14) (Eph 3:5)
(2 Pe 1:21). We should learn from them to use wisdom and grace towards
outsiders (Col 4:5) to win their respect through holy living (1 Th 4:11-12). Then
Jesus really gets down to the quarks when He commands, love, do good and pray
for your enemies (Lk 6:27-31). Simple? Yes, but simplified complexity!
Jim Bailey
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