Writing on paper is very different than working on a computer. Using a keyboard, every letter is complete as written. All we must do is add in the spaces and punctuation marks, and save the final product to share with our family and friends or business associates.
On paper, we have more to attend to. An extra loop or turn of the pen can create an entirely different word and change the meaning of what we intend to say. Leave off the dots and lines that finish letters, and the difference can be even greater. Do we play our Wii or our Wu? Without the dots, in cursive, the words are very much the same. Androgynous. Mercurial. Trees swaying in the wind. A wind vane madly twirling and giving direction to no one.
We need to dot that “i” and cross that final “t” so that everyone knows exactly what we mean to say. We can find evidence of God’s exacting message to us throughout the New Testament.
Philippians 1:6 shouts out that we will be a success with the help of Jesus:
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 2:10 announces that he floods us with his power stem to stern:
“And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
John 8:24 proclaims that Christ is the only way unto heaven:
“I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
John 3:16 says that God loves us more than anything:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
1 John 2:2 declares that we can share the Lord’s gift of salvation with everyone:
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Hebrews 11:6 reveals the importance of faith in the Lord:
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 sets faith as our primary avenue to God:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
James 2:18 is our trusted proclamation that faith and works go hand-in-hand:
“But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
God doesn’t forget to dot each “i” or cross each “t.” What he says in the Word, he means exactly as it is written. Our job is to have faith and trust in him.
There is no wavering in God. He is exactly as he appears to be.
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