The language we use betrays who we are. These little vehicles of thought we call words are the categories by which we define our lives. They are the windows through which we see the world.

When you study a foreign language, you discover that some words and phrases do not have exact equivalents, simply because different cultures have slightly different perceptions by which ideas are expressed. The same phenomenon exists with reference to world views. What used to be called an "act of God" might be referred to as a "natural disaster" in an increasingly secular society. We may not be able to attribute an outbreak of terror to the Lord, but are we absolutely certain a "natural disaster" does not have a supernatural origin?

The inspired writers of the Bible have given us a rich vocabulary of terms and phrases that reveal their deep-seated beliefs. If we are serious about imitating their faith, then why not use the same terminology? After all, it's all part of "speaking where the Bible speaks." Here are a few examples.

1."Lord’s day." Is the first day of the week the day of the Sun or the day of the Lord? In Revelation 1:10, John says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day." Bauer’s lexicon defines the relevant term, "the Lord’s day... i.e. certainly Sunday (so in modern Greek)" (p. 458). This conclusion is verified in early church history. The Didache instructs, "And on the Lord’s own day gather yourselves together and break bread and give thanks...." (14:1). In the early second century, Ignatius writes, "If therefore those who lived according to the old practices came to the new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath but living according to the Lord’s day, in which also our life arose through him and his death...." (Magnesians 9). Justin Martyr added, "We all make our assembly in common on the day of the Sun, since it is the first day, on which God changed the darkness and matter and made the world, and Jesus Christ our Savior arose from the dead on the same day. For they crucified him on the day before Saturn’s day, and on the day after (which is the day of the Sun) he appeared to his apostles and taught his disciples these things" (Apology I, 67:7).

2. "Lord willing." Christians need to be careful about making plans for the future. "Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that'" (James 4:13-15). Do events happen because of good luck or good will? On the one hand, "time and chance overtake them all" (Eccl. 9:11). The same chapter of Ecclesiastes, however, warns us that our deeds "are in the hand of God," and that, consequently, "Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him" (9:1). For the faithful, there must always be a healthy, balanced recognition of random leeway and divine superintendence. "The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord" (Prov.16:33). Christians need to be careful about making plans for the future. "Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that'" (James 4:13-15). Do events happen because of good luck or good will? On the one hand, "time and chance overtake them all" (Eccl. 9:11). The same chapter of Ecclesiastes, however, warns us that our deeds "are in the hand of God," and that, consequently, "Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him" (9:1). For the faithful, there must always be a healthy, balanced recognition of random leeway and divine superintendence. "The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord" (Prov.16:33).

3. "Maranatha." This term, used by Paul in I Cor. 16:22, is Aramaic for "O Lord come!" The earliest disciples were taught to wait for the second coming of Christ with eagerness (cf. Lk. 12:35-40; Rev. 22:20; II Thess. 1:6-10). Could part of the problem today be that we do not anticipate the coming of our Lord with the same degree of fervor? Maybe we need to add this word to our daily vocabulary! This term, used by Paul in I Cor. 16:22, is Aramaic for "O Lord come!" The earliest disciples were taught to wait for the second coming of Christ with eagerness (cf. Lk. 12:35-40; Rev. 22:20; II Thess. 1:6-10). Could part of the problem today be that we do not anticipate the coming of our Lord with the same degree of fervor? Maybe we need to add this word to our daily vocabulary!

4. "May the LORD bless you." This is a characteristic greeting, especially in the Old Testament (Num. 6:24-26; Ps. 129:8; Ruth 2:4,12). When we part with friends, is it "God bless" or "goodbye"? Did you know that the latter is an alteration of "God be with you"? What once had spiritual significance has now become thoroughly secularized. This is a characteristic greeting, especially in the Old Testament (Num. 6:24-26; Ps. 129:8; Ruth 2:4,12). When we part with friends, is it "God bless" or "goodbye"? Did you know that the latter is an alteration of "God be with you"? What once had spiritual significance has now become thoroughly secularized.

5. "The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." This, in many respects, is the New Testament counterpart to the foregoing phrase (Rom. 16:20; I Cor. 16:23; II Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:18; Phil. 4:23; I Thess. 5:28; II Thess. 3:18; Rev. 22:21). If someone ever wanted to memorize a whole bunch of verses, with only a couple of minor variations, this is it! Why did early Christians use this expression so much? In short, there is no greater expression of goodwill. This, in many respects, is the New Testament counterpart to the foregoing phrase (Rom. 16:20; I Cor. 16:23; II Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:18; Phil. 4:23; I Thess. 5:28; II Thess. 3:18; Rev. 22:21). If someone ever wanted to memorize a whole bunch of verses, with only a couple of minor variations, this is it! Why did early Christians use this expression so much? In short, there is no greater expression of goodwill.

6. "Amen." Have you ever noticed how often the apostle Paul explodes in exultation, and instruction gives way to praise? (cf. Rom. 16:24; Eph. 3:20-21; I Tim. 1:17) Here was an apostle who was deeply thankful just to be a Christian (I Cor. 15:10). When he pauses to think about what God has done for us, he often cannot contain himself, and an "Amen" is not far behind. Such an outburst is akin to watching a musical, and witnessing an actor or actress burst out in song in reaction to an elevated mood. Some people don't like musicals because they're not real to life. Yet when is the last time you heard someone burst out in praise at the thought of God's rich blessings? Paul could not hold it in! Can we? Have you ever noticed how often the apostle Paul explodes in exultation, and instruction gives way to praise? (cf. Rom. 16:24; Eph. 3:20-21; I Tim. 1:17) Here was an apostle who was deeply thankful just to be a Christian (I Cor. 15:10). When he pauses to think about what God has done for us, he often cannot contain himself, and an "Amen" is not far behind. Such an outburst is akin to watching a musical, and witnessing an actor or actress burst out in song in reaction to an elevated mood. Some people don't like musicals because they're not real to life. Yet when is the last time you heard someone burst out in praise at the thought of God's rich blessings? Paul could not hold it in! Can we?

7. "Obey the gospel." The Bible speaks of obeying "the truth" (Rom. 2:8) and obeying "the gospel" (II Thess. 1:8; I Pet. 4:17). It does not speak of "accepting Jesus into one's heart" or "accepting Jesus as one's personal Savior." If someone asks you when you accepted Christ, tell them when you "obeyed The Bible speaks of obeying "the truth" (Rom. 2:8) and obeying "the gospel" (II Thess. 1:8; I Pet. 4:17). It does not speak of "accepting Jesus into one's heart" or "accepting Jesus as one's personal Savior." If someone asks you when you accepted Christ, tell them when you "obeyed

the truth." It might even lead to an opportunity to show them that the gospel contains facts to be believed, promises to be enjoyed, and commands to be obeyed -- and that if we call Jesus Lord, we better do what He says (Mt. 7:21-23).

These are just a few examples where our vocabulary should differ from that of our worldly neighbors. We ought to talk differently because we genuinely think differently (I Cor. 2:12-16). In so many respects, our speech does not lie.