Thursday, October 2, 2014
A survey was taken at the end of last year about the most annoying word people use nowadays, and the dubious winner was the word “whatever.” In fact, the word has topped the list for the last five years according to the same survey group. They add that the word can be very dismissive and rude. They also say that it is a put-down to some extent and that it can signal to the other person that what they are saying is not important. Do you agree? I’m not even going to ask you if the word is one you use often.
I was thinking about this irritating word recently as I was going through a book about some old hymns of the faith. This particular book has stories about their authors and how and why they wrote them. Among my favorites is one entitled “Whosoever Meaneth Me.” It was written in 1910 by a young man by the name of James Edwin McConnell. If you pay close attention to it’s lyrics, you will quickly realize it is a happy tune. He later started a radio show entitled “Hymn Time” and was known by many as “Smiling Ed” McConnell. I find it odd that one of my favorite words is “whosoever’ while “whatever” is the opposite.
In the hymn’s message, it is apparent that the idea was taken from Romans 10:13 in the King James Version which reads, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The person in the song is thrilled that “whosoever” surely means and includes him. I can totally relate because even forty plus years later, I am still happy and grateful that I too was a “whosoever” who called on His Name. That Christ will save anyone who calls on Him is something to really be happy about. I get so thrilled at the thought of that great bible truth, that every time I hear someone extend an invitation for people to accept Jesus as their Savior, I wish I could get saved all over again. Not only is that not possible, it is not necessary for when Christ took us in and saved us, it meant forever. Even so, I get happy just thinking about it. BTW, speaking of the word “saved” many Christians hesitate on using it too much for fear of being looked upon as someone like Mortimer Snerd going around telling folks, “Yup, ah been born’d again.” If Christ used the word “saved” often, how wrong can it be for us to use it? If the bible truth that Jesus will save anybody who calls upon His name doesn't thrill you, child of God, you may want to check your pulse. On the other hand, if you have never called on the name of the Lord, let me remind you of the word “whosoever.” That includes you; don’t miss out any longer.
Memory verse for the week: (Psalm 9:9) The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
PS: If you are interested, check out the hymn “Whosoever Meaneth Me” at the following link:
