There are words in the English language that are used so often, that we tend to forget their true worth in an expression or a phrase. Words so common in our daily speech, that when ignored they return to haunt us, making their impact last. For example, there is a significant difference between A god and The God. Note the immediate impact one tiny word makes to an expression. When speaking of “a god,” it is implied that there are others similar to he and he is a member of a fabled community. When speaking of “the God,” a declaration is being made that reveals a sole, divine sovereignty and specifies that there is no other god outside of Him. This is true because the is a definite article used to indicate that the noun placed after it is exclusive and unique; thus this expression eliminates any probability of other gods. Needless to say that the difference between both expressions is enormous and without a doubt do not speak of the same thing. Certainly this example illuminates the importance of Paul’s inspired exhortation of “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2nd Timothy 2:15b, emphasis added). Remember that in the immediate context of this pericope, Paul instructs his spiritual son, Timothy, to beware “profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness” (2nd Timothy 2:16). For this reason, it is of utmost importance not to ignore nor dismiss these seemingly “tiny” words because we use them so frequently. Instead, it is wise to recognize the prompt and mighty impact these words have to a sentence, for the proper understanding of God’s truth. The Lord Jesus emphasized this lesson in His Sermon on the Mount as He declared, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19a, emphasis added). His reference of “one jot or one tittle” was well understood by His audience to mean that Jesus was being very meticulous and thorough in the accomplishment of His mission here on earth. His dedication and seriousness in ensuring to complete all of the law, no matter how minute the commandment was considered to be, was essential if He was to make us “alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14, emphasis added). Of course, it is obvious and logical that our Master first had to learn and know the Law so that He could fulfill it entirely. Without question, this required an incredible amount of time, dedication, and concentration to the study of God’s word in order to reach the precise meaning of it. We must understand that Jesus achieved this goal as a man; not as God. Those who adhere to this erroneous argument instantly reveal two truths about themselves. First, their lack of Scriptural knowledge surfaces and secondly, their laziness to study Scripture is manifested. This is so because they cling to this excuse as a shield protecting their negligence of their spiritual growth. Holy Writ promulgates that Jesus “in the days of His flesh, when He offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:7-8, emphasis added). The inspired Hebrew writer validates the Lord’s proclamation that He had dedicated Himself to a complete understanding of God’s commandments as a man. Therefore He succeeded in obeying all of God’s commandments, as a man. For this reason the Hebrew writer boldly declares that we must be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, emphasis added). The apostle Paul adds to this wonderful fact that Jesus “Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13, emphasis added). God’s chosen inspired scribes are confirming that one of Jesus’ purposes for being made flesh was so that man could see that it is possible to achieve entrance into heaven as a man. He took on the form of flesh, according to Holy Scripture, to become the ensample for man to emulate and gain access to the Father (John 14:6). Therefore it is imperative that as Jesus did not leave out “one jot or one tittle” from being fulfilled we, too, devote ourselves to the study and practice of God’s entire word. Jesus Christ comprehended the value of being very detailed in everything He did and taught. He did not risk anything to chance, and that was the source of His victory on earth. In the beginning of this treatise, this author warned that several times the small details that are missed by us, are the ones to return and haunt us. This is similar to two people who agree on a business deal and sign a contract to make it official. However when the time arrives to honor the deal, one of the parties does not receive what he expected and had understood, but is unable to do anything to make it right. What was the fatal flaw that laid the groundwork for his misfortune? He did not examine the contract thoroughly because he chose not to read the fine print at the bottom of the contract that he signed. No matter how much he argues and accuses the other businessman of betrayal and deceit, the cruel truth is that in the end he has only himself to blame. Unlike our analogy, God has given mankind a contract without any fine print. Our Lord has always been transparent and concise about the cost of our salvation. The problem is, like our example, that man neglects to diligently exam the Divine contract that is the Bible. Thus when man fails to honor his part, it is not because God was not clear; it is because man is too lazy to read.
